Call for joined-up logistics post-election
April 1st 2010 The commitment to the logistics sector of the main political parties is unclear despite the release of election manifestos, according to the Freight Transport Association.
The FTA has called for policy makers to commit to infrastructure investment for the good of the economy and the environment.
Jo Tanner of the FTA welcomed Labour’s pledges to tackle congestion with hard shoulder running and its pledge to increase rail freight capacity but was disappointed by the lack of a more holistic commitment to infrastructure.
“Similarly, the Fair Fuel Stabiliser, which will link fuel duty levels with bulk oil prices, is intriguing but despite commitment to a ‘modern transport network’, the lack of an explicit nod to the logistics sector does not engender much faith in the Tory manifesto either,” said Tanner.
“Meanwhile the LibDem proposal to create a UK Infrastructure Bank is, again, a nice idea, but only if investment in our crumbling infrastructure is guaranteed.” The main political parties have focused on some issues affecting the logistics sector, such as High Speed Rail, but the FTA has bemoaned the lack of a firm commitment to improving the UK’s entire transport infrastructure across the board.
Tanner concluded: “What is clearly lacking is a joinedup commitment to improving infrastructure. To bring the greatest environmental and commercial benefits, the logistics sector must be treated as a whole. Holistic infrastructure investment is the only way to meet challenges.” More articles from Handling & Storage Solutions: | 
