Dublin urgently needs a freight plan says FTA Ireland

Friday 17 June 2011

With an expanding population, and with freight traffic through the port of Dublin projected to double over the next 30 years, Dublin urgently needs a long-term freight strategy to meet the needs of businesses and people who provide services and live and work in the city. 

While much needed and welcome investment has been made in public transport, in particular in bus services and in the Luas tram and Dart train systems, little or no serious thought has been given to how goods are delivered to retailers and firms for the ultimate benefit of shoppers and those that work in the city. 

Declan McKeon, Head of Policy for FTA Ireland, said: “We need to change perceptions about the freight and logistics industry, its contribution to society and people's life styles, and to try and improve public understanding of the industry, not least among officials and politicians responsible for developing transport strategies in Ireland."

Speaking at FTA Ireland's Freight Council meeting in Dublin on 14 June, FTA Ireland President Niall Cotton, said: "This is very much about 'getting Ireland back' , for example, by improving the way we do things, reducing red tape and enhancing the competitiveness of the Irish freight and logistics industry to support growth in the economy and employment. To do that we need to work in partnership with government and local authorities."

Cotton continued: "Changing negative attitudes and increasing knowledge about the freight sector is not easy, that is why today FTA Ireland's Freight Council has called for a new partnership with Dublin City Council. We want to work with the Council to develop a joint freight plan for Dublin. What we need is a realistic plan, one that addresses wider concerns about the environment, but also works with the grain of industry. For example, by making improvements to the existing lorry permit scheme and finding agreed solutions for city centre deliveries, including innovative thinking regarding quiet night-time deliveries and parking policies."

Declan McKeon concluded: "Decisions taken today will shape the future of our capital city for generations to come. If we want to make Dublin not only an attractive place to live and work, but one that attracts future inward investment, we need to create an atmosphere that is conducive to and understands business needs. I believe we can achieve that by the freight industry working in partnership with the authorities in Dublin to hammer out a joint fit-for-purpose freight plan."

Notes for editors

For further information please contact Declan McKeon, Head of Policy, FTA Ireland, Unit 2010, Orchard Avenue, City West Business Campus, Dublin, 24, Republic of Ireland. Tel no: 01 468 9511, mobile: 07818 450492 or dmckeon@fta.co.uk
 

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