FTA comments on Cardiff's proposed congestion charge

Wednesday 15 January 2020

Following Cardiff City Council’s proposal to introduce a £2 congestion charge (applicable to non-residents only) to act as a deterrent while also funding investment into the public transport system, Sally Gilson, Head of Policy for Wales at FTA, comments:

“As the organisation representing the logistics sector, FTA is calling for Cardiff City Council to confirm the tests it will apply to ensure that the funds raised from the congestion charge will be able to build a genuinely more effective public transport network. If the scheme is successful in taking private drivers off the roads, it will make space for the vehicles that truly need access to the city, including commercial vehicle operators who must deliver the goods that supermarkets, hospitals, schools and restaurants all need to operate; too often, these drivers face heavily congested and slow-moving roads. FTA is also asking for clarification on how the charge will be managed and enforced, and whether the charge will ignite real change or in reality just be an additional tax.”

Efficient logistics is vital to keep the UK trading, directly having an impact on more than seven million people employed in the making, selling and moving of goods.  With Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc.  A champion and challenger, FTA speaks to government with one voice on behalf of the whole sector, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers.