TfN strategy stresses value of freight network for the North
The North’s freight and logistics sector could be worth more than £30 billion to the region’s economy and employ more than 500,000 people by 2050.
That’s according to a new report which states that more than 33% of goods already enter through Northern ports, 25% of GB freight starts in the North, and the same proportion of journeys end in the North.
The Freight and Logistics Strategy for the North of England is the first pan-Northern strategy of this type (covering road, rail and waterway freight), and complements Transport for the North’s (TfN’s) Strategic Transport Plan.
It looks at the importance of a multi-modal freight network covering road, rail, ports and inland waterways in the North.
It also identifies challenges such as a shortage of warehouse capacity (especially railconnected warehousing), lack of reliable and efficient east-west connectivity across the Pennines, and a disproportionate reliance on ports in the south of England.
Three key areas of activity underpin the strategy:
■ The importance of accelerating delivery of the TfN Investment Programme.
■ The need to accelerate measures that support the move to zero carbon.
■ Strategic policy positions that can be used by partners to deliver the strategy effectively.
The key issues for freight are network capacity congestion, network pinch points and a lack of electrification for freight.
“Our strategy identifies the opportunities for decarbonising the sector. It is an important piece of work not just for those who work in the sector, but for the general public and business community,” said TfN CEO Martin Tugwell.
TfN’s Principal Policy Officer Freight and Logistics Lucy Hudson added: “This comprehensive strategy sets out a suite of freight and logistics objectives for the north of England.
“Through the recommendations agreed by the TfN Board, we have a clear steer on how to make progress. I look forward to working with partners, the Department for Transport, the railways and businesses across the sector.”