Thursday, February 05, 2015
SCOTLAND NEEDS POLICIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE THAT RECOGNISES FREIGHT CHALLENGES
The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has told the Scottish Parliament that it needs policies and infrastructure investment that recognises Scottish freight challenges.
Taking part in the ‘Inquiry into freight transport in Scotland’ today, the FTA outlined how Scotland’s rail, road, air and sea freight routes to the rest of the UK, to Europe and worldwide should be improved, and identified the main infrastructure and policy obstacles to the free flow of freight, whether carried by rail, road, air or sea.
FTA’s Chris MacRae Head of Policy Scotland said:
“FTA has outlined the need in Scotland for policies and infrastructure investment that recognises specific freight challenges and support Scottish business using the supply chains available. Specifically this means investing in order to make the necessary improvements for both rail and road freight infrastructure. It also means cross border linkage with the Strategic Rail Freight Fund schemes; Road Investment Strategy Schemes in England and Scottish policy support for increased hub airport capacity in the South East of England which Scotland would link to.”
In its submission to the Inquiry FTA raised the issue that there remain serious imbalances in freight traffic flows to and from Scotland across all transport modes. This undoubtedly inhibits the development of direct freight services to and from the country.
Mr MacRae added:
“It is important to ensure that the proper logistics and infrastructure links for the Scottish economy are in place to enable it to trade and compete with UK, European and global markets.”
Also giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament Committee alongside the FTA at the ‘Inquiry into freight transport in Scotland’ were representatives from the British Ports Association, Road Haulage Association and the Rail Freight Group.
FTA’s Chris MacRae Head of Policy Scotland said:
“FTA has outlined the need in Scotland for policies and infrastructure investment that recognises specific freight challenges and support Scottish business using the supply chains available. Specifically this means investing in order to make the necessary improvements for both rail and road freight infrastructure. It also means cross border linkage with the Strategic Rail Freight Fund schemes; Road Investment Strategy Schemes in England and Scottish policy support for increased hub airport capacity in the South East of England which Scotland would link to.”
In its submission to the Inquiry FTA raised the issue that there remain serious imbalances in freight traffic flows to and from Scotland across all transport modes. This undoubtedly inhibits the development of direct freight services to and from the country.
Mr MacRae added:
“It is important to ensure that the proper logistics and infrastructure links for the Scottish economy are in place to enable it to trade and compete with UK, European and global markets.”
Also giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament Committee alongside the FTA at the ‘Inquiry into freight transport in Scotland’ were representatives from the British Ports Association, Road Haulage Association and the Rail Freight Group.
DATED: 05.02.15
FEED: HA
