Transport for the North strategy will benefit the supply chain, says Logistics UK

Monday 21 August 2023

Transport for the North's Strategic Plan will boost the region's economy, but only if the supply chain's role is placed squarely in the middle of the North’s ambitions, according to Logistics UK. In its response to the consultation, submitted 18 August, the business group has expressed its support for the plan but urged policy makers to continue their recognition of the importance of the logistics industry within the northern economy. 

Jonathan Walker, Head of Cities and Infrastructure Policy at Logistics UK, comments: “The TfN draft strategic transport plan will play a significant role in developing the North’s current transport network and provides a clear understanding of how freight is essential to this. Logistics UK is asking for an even greater integration of freight to be acknowledged within northern transport decision making, so that the logistics industry is not forced to operate in a silo. It is also vital that improvements to rail passenger connectivity can also benefit logistics movements.”  

With the 2050 government deadline for net zero drawing ever closer, it is crucial that the North is not overlooked when it comes to financial decision making. Mr Walker continues: “The North desperately needs long-term support and investment from government in achieving the region’s decarbonisation targets, to ensure that businesses are not placed at a competitive disadvantage in the race for achieving net zero.” 

Logistics UK is one of the UK’s leading business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With decarbonisation, 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. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods.