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Speed is of the essence
Page 22
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The DfT has outlined an approach to transport planning for 2014, but :he RHA and FTA want action sooner. Roanna Avison finds out why.
Last week the government set out its stall on transport planning, although its ideas will tot come into force before 2014 lecause the budgets until then .ave already been set.
And the biggest change will be n integrated approach to transort investment, which will see oad and rail considered together ather than in isolation MIT aims ) merge road/rail funding', CM I Iovember).
The Department for Transport INT) report Towards a Sustainale Transport System, Supporting :commie Growth in a Low-Caron World responds to the issues lised by the Stem and Eddington aports.
Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly lys: "We must increase our nderstanding of the needs of iternational and domestic freight -ansporters. Our policies must nprove every part of their travel xperience. If we are to achieve lat. we must understand the end)-end journey."
The report outlines five broad Dais: o To maximise the competitiveSs and productivity of the econmy by ensuring the transport atwork provides the right eonactions in the right places to sup3rt the journeys that matter.
To address climate change by nting emissions of CO2 and other .eenhouse gases.
1To protect people's safety, :curity and health as they use and le with transport.
, To improve quality of life by reIcing noise and vibration caused i transport and improve the whole transport experience.
• To promote greater equality of opportunity by ensuring the transport system provides the same benefits for everyone.
The report states that integrated strategies at a regional level, mu! tiarea agreements and local area agreements will ensure more effective integration of transport.
It adds that reliability must be a key issue because it is important to passengers and freight customers; the costs associated with delays should be factored into any investment.
The report also says: "We need to consider changing patterns in the way logistics and freight services are consumed. Increased levels of internet shopping with home delivery and increased consumption of imported goods are two examples of major shifts in distribution patterns that are expected to have significant impacts on transport movements." now in line with the views of industry, but it remains concerned that the pace of delivering improvements to the infrastructure is too slow and will result in an enormous waste of man-hours and money caused by worsening levels of congestion.
Chief executive Theo de Pencier says any government transport policy that has identified maximising the competitiveness of the economy as its priority will need to have supply chain interests near the top of its agenda. "The fact the government has done so is a measure of how far it has travelled towards recognising the role of freight transport in the economy.'
The FTA has welcomed the government's alignment of transport planning to improve inter-urban corridors, intra-urban centres and international gateways; the alignment of planning timelines for all transport modes; and the mix of policy measures, including investment in pinch-points and the importance of reliable journey times.
De Pencier says:"We agree with the measures required to reduce congestion, improve competitiveness and achieve higher social and economic aspirations. However, we cannot wait until 2014 before action is taken. The FTA has identified other actions which could yield quick wins, including trialling higher-capacity trucks, lifting delivery curfews and introducing further gauge enhancement on key rail routes."
Road haulage reality
Roger King, chief executive of the Road Haulage Association (RHA), says the report and subsequent consultation period "give us the opportunity to present the reality of road haulage as efficient, flexible, responsive and the main mode of goods transport for the future".
Rut the RHA is also concerned about the timescale. King says: "We are extremely concerned that the UK's creaking infrastructure will jeopardise growth in the years ahead. We fully support the aims and objectives set out by government, but remain concerned that time is not on our side." •