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Lateral thinking

28th August 2008
Page 3
Page 3, 28th August 2008 — Lateral thinking
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

OK, we're delighted by the news of the proposed expansion of Felixstowe and new E400m London Gateway Port. Considering the projections for increased throughput at both, Britain's container hauliers could be forgiven for rubbing their hands together in eager anticipation. Who knows? The extra capacity might finally put an end to all those soul-destroying queues at other UK terminals. But

al‘14 before we all get carried away, we'd like to mention three

little words of caution: 'Secure truck parking'. It seems inconceivable to us that projections for, and undertakings towards, secure truck parking have not been at the heart of either project. Especially considering how much extra HGV traffic they are expected to generate, and the fact current parking provisions in the region are already struggling. It's a howling omission.

But what rankles is that this Government continues to believe it's a problem the private sector can somehow solve. It can't, at least not on its own. It needs a clear strategy and active engagement from the Department for Transport. What makes the UK situation all the more depressing is recent moves in France and Germany to extend the number of secure truckstops in both countries as part of the Ells Secure European truck Parking Operational Services (SETPOS) scheme. The what? Yes, we had to look it up, too, but SETPOS will eventually see the creation of a Europe-wide network of secure truck parks.

Commercial

So in the interests of lateral thinking, CM has its own suggestion. In four years. time, a great swathe of Land in (coincidentally) Essex will become vacant when the 2012 Olympic Games ends. And after a fortnight's use, everyone will be wondering what to do with it. Why not turn the site, complete with athletes' village, into a showcase truckstop? It's just a thought.

Brian Weatherley

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Organisations: Department for Transport

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