‘Major Road’ investment programme must work for freight too, says FTA

Saturday 23 December 2017

Freight transport must be at the heart of a new investment programme for England’s major roads, according to the Freight Transport Association.
 
The Department for Transport has today (23 December) released its consultation on the creation of a new Major Road Network (MRN). It has announced that key roads, below the motorway network and largest ‘A’ roads currently operated by Highways England, could benefit from up to £100m investment each.
 
Eighty per cent of the UK’s freight movements are made by road.  FTA, UK’s leading body representing the logistics sector, welcomes news of additional investment.  However, the association is calling for a guarantee that every scheme funded under the new MRN programme will support the needs of freight logistics.  FTA’s Head of UK Policy, Christopher Snelling, comments: 
 
“Any investment in our road network is good news, especially given the lack of funding available over recent years for councils to improve just these kinds of roads.  But the Government must ensure that any projects funded by this scheme are designed for freight as well as car users.
 
“Above all, FTA believes any roads classed as part of the MRN must focus on making motor traffic more efficient and be open to all types of motor vehicle without restriction.  There should be no HGV restrictions on anything that wants to claim to be a ‘Major Road’.”
 

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