PFI bombshell opens can of worms
December 2nd 2009 We’ve got a packed issue for November and December, with not only news of key product launches such as the new Flexi VNA from Narrow Aisle – our cover story, but best practice guidance and breaking news for the handling and storage industry.
In the news section (page 6) we cover the bombshell that the Tories will ditch PFI as a funding mechanism if they win (as seems likely) the next general election.With PFI bearing the brunt of large infrastructure schemes in the last 20 years, this represents a massive sea change. It remains to be seen what the Conservatives will choose as a replacement, but it is likely that schemes based on large public spending or debt will not meet with Mr Osborne’s favour.
It may mean the revival of privitisation schemes. This has particularly relevance for transport, and we could well see the Government look again at privatising the Highway Agency’s trunk roads. If so, we can also expect to see many more toll roads in the future as the private sector looks for payback on investment. This is certainly the pattern we have seen in the US, where toll roads are much more widespread. As Geoff Dossetter explores (on page 43), tolls can prove deeply unpopular and undermine Government efforts to improve the efficiency of roads and cut down carbon emissions from the transport industry.
Down to the nuts and bolts of warehouse operation, it is interesting to see (on page 6) the findings of Gerald Eve on warehouse new builds and take-up. This report shows the favourable environment for occupiers we all know about, but it is also flags up some warnings that the situation could become tougher in the medium term.
Gerald Eve also reports that sustainabilty is not suffering in the recession but morphing, with only those solutions capable of demonstrating positive impact on bottom line gaining traction. The UKWA (on page 20) looks into the issue of green warehouse solutions in greater depth. Roger Williams explains how deploying low or no cost measures can be surprisingly beneficial.Why don’t you e-mail HSS and tell us your thoughts and experiences on this issue?
Simon Duddy, Editor More articles from Handling & Storage Solutions: | 
