The government needs to make infrastructure improvements immediately, says the Freight Transport Association (FTA). This statement follows the publication of Towards a Sustainable Transport System by the Department for Transport, unveiled by secretary of state for transport, Ruth Kelly October, 30.

The FTA admits that the government’s proposals for dealing with road, rail and port congestion are now in line with the views of industry, but remains concerned that the pace of delivering improvements to the infrastructure should be accelerated in order to avoid the enormous waste of man-hours and money caused by worsening levels of congestion.

FTA has welcomed the government’s alignment of transport planning with the principles contained in the Eddington report - action 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. FTA also agrees with the goals of improving competitiveness, safety and the quality of life, advancing the equality of opportunity and reducing carbon. Efficient supply chains help to deliver all of these aspirations.

“We agree with the government regarding the measures required to reduce congestion, improve competitiveness and achieve higher social and economic aspirations,” said FTA chief executive Theo de Pencier. “However, we cannot wait until 2014 before substantive action is taken. The motorway hard shoulder running plans announced and the rail freight investment statement made are examples of what can be achieved in the short term with relatively low-level investment. FTA has identified other actions, which could yield similar quick wins, including trialling higher capacity lorries, lifting delivery curfews and further gauge enhancement on key rail routes”