Better transport links needed for nation’s ports to cope with soaring demand

MORE CAPACITY is needed on the road and rail networks that serve the nation’s ports if they are to cope with the “considerable challenge” caused by a predicted growth in demand, according to a Government report.

Officials hope the study of ‘port connectivity’, launched at the British Port Association annual members lunch yesterday, will help influence funding, policy and planning decisions by highlighting the importance of England’s harbours and their global trade links.

It highlighted the fact that about 95 per cent of all goods entering and leaving the UK are moved by sea, and that the UK port sector contributes £1.7bn to the UK economy.

Among the biggest contributors are the Humber ports, at Goole, Hull, Grimsby and Immingham, which provide £620m in gross value added and 8,400 jobs, a tenth of the national total.

The report said port and freight markets are changing, with new commodities replacing core bulk freight markets like coal which do not necessarily travel on the same road or rail routes or to the same destinations. It said forecasts predicted container traffic would grow by 178 per cent between 2004 and 2030, with total port tonnage for the UK also forecast to grow substantially.

The report said: “These changes...present profound opportunity but also a considerable challenge to ensuring the national transport network which serves our ports is capable of dealing with new demands and facilitating the economic growth they will bring.

“Ports are investing many billions in their own infrastructure to ensure larger ships and volumes can be accommodated to maintain the UK, as a key destination for maritime services despite strong global competition.

“It is therefore vital there is appropriate capacity on our road and rail networks, to and from our international gateway ports, to meet this demand.”