TfN launches consultation on Freight and Logistics strategy

Transport for the North (TfN) has launched a consultation on its freight and logistics strategy for the region.

Its draft strategy highlights the importance of the efficient movement of goods, particularly for economic recovery and growth, and sets out an urgent need to take action to decarbonise the freight and logistics sector. It also looks at demand for a multimodal freight network covering road, rail and water; the potential for ports and freeports; and sets out a delivery plan and recommendations.

The three key objectives which underpin the strategy are:

• The importance of accelerating delivery of the TfN Investment Programme interventions to support the the North’s economy.
• The need to accelerate the move to zero carbon.
• The strategic policy positions needed to develop to deliver the strategy effectively.

The draft reflects TfN’s ambitions to achieve near-zero emissions from surface transport by 2045 and to optimise the social and economic benefits from clean growth opportunities in the North.

Martin Tugwell, chief executive at Transport for the North, said: “The freight and logistics sector is vital in helping us all get the things we need to go about our daily lives. The impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and the UK leaving the EU brought this into sharp focus, so now is the perfect time for the North of England to set out a strategy on how we can best support and enable the movement of goods around our region.

“Our Freight & Logistics Strategy, which covers road, rail and waterway freight, reveals the data that drives the sector; identifies the options for decarbonising freight; and sets out the importance of the sector to enabling ambitious growth for businesses.

“It’s an important piece of work, and we urge everyone to get involved in the consultation – not just those who work in the sector, but members of the general public and business community too. Getting goods to our homes and workplaces efficiently, reliably and in a sustainable way is only going to get more important in the coming years, so it’s essential we hear from many voices now to help set us on the right journey for our future needs.”

The consultation can be found here.

Webinar

TfN has also announced it is hosting a free webinar next month, focused on the upcoming freight strategy.

The event will take place on Wednesday 12 January, from 12pm to 1pm.

Experts will talk about the efficient movement of goods, as well as the importance of decarbonization. There will also be a look at what multimodal networks will be in place over the forthcoming decades and their crucial role in supporting post-pandemic economic growth.

So far, Sir Peter Hendy (chair of Network Rail), Peter Kennan (South Yorkshire LEP and TfN board member) and Lucy Hudson (TfN’s principal policy officer — freight and logistics) have been confirmed for the panel.

Click here to register for the webinar.

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