FTA Logistics Report prioritises investment in roads

Government should prioritise road improvements according to report.

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has released its Logistics Report 2015 which highlights the importance in road improvement investment. 

One of the UK’s largest trade associations, FTA represents more than 14,000 members who provide or rely on transportation both nationally and internationally, to and from the UK. 

The Logistics Report, which mixes ideas, news and views that have been responsible for the transport industry in the last year, gathers its information from a wide variety of sources. 

Evidence has been attained from the FTA Logistics Industry Survey 2014/15 – a poll of members’ experiences of the freight market and trading environment – the FTA Quarterly Transport Activity Survey (QTAS), FTA Manager’s Guide to Distribution Costs, FTA Transport Manager Survey 2014, York Aviation, Implications for the Air Freight Sector of Different Airport Capacity Options 2015, FTA Logistics Carbon Review Incorporating the Fifth Annual Report of the Logistics Carbon Reduction Scheme 2015 and RepGraph: Solving the Driver Crisis 2015.

Added to this plethora of information are references to other official statistical publications throughout the report, so there is a huge spread of information within the Logistics Report. 

The report contains what many believe are the priorities for the Government and of all the reasons that were given, the one that was seen as most important is one that is interlinked with the construction industry. 

While a cut in fuel duty, promoting a positive image of logistics to young people and recognising the essential role of logistics to the economy were all seen as important priorities for the Government, the report suggests that the biggest concern is to ensure investment is given to make necessary road improvements. 

The responses reflect many of the concerns expressed a year ago to the FTA Logistics Industry Survey 2013/14. 

Many who were included in the report feel that the urban road network is deteriorating and this trend must be reversed. 

For its part, the Government announced intentions to invest £15Bn in road improvements back in December, which will deliver a network of smart motorways and expressways to support the Northern Powerhouse. 

The report was launched by David Wells, FTA Chief Executive, who believes that the Government needs to be decisive in order to safeguard the role of logistics in the country’s economy. Making sure that roads are invested in properly will only improve this. 

He said: “The new Government will have to make significant decisions – and quickly – over our infrastructure and transport policies. FTA’s message to Government is: ignore the needs of logistics at your peril. 

“From the factory floor to the kitchen table, it is logistics that will deliver sustainable growth. 

“At such a crossroads for our national finances and society, the FTA Logistics Report provides a timely and essential analysis of the short and long-term health of a major enabler of our economy and lifestyle – logistics.”

The FTA’s report has highlighted the significance in investing in roads, but encouragingly, this is something that is certainly in the minds of those in the Government. Last night, George Osborne spoke about his business plans and in that speech, mentioned investment in the road network. 

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