Labour’s commitment to improving railfreight should it win next month’s general election has delighted the Freight Transport Association, which says the party’s manifesto very much echoes its own, published just last month.
The association’s Jo Tanner said: “Logistics - whether moving goods by road, rail sea or air - is the lifeblood of UK plc and so it is reassuring - and a pleasant surprise - to see its value being recognised by the Labour Party. Our hope now
is that the other parties vying for votes will show similar forethought.”
However, the FTA does harbour concerns that the massive investment needed for high speed rail may come at the detriment of funding for vital projects such as the strategic freight network which it says needs ongoing financial commitment from government.
Labour’s pledge to tackle road congestion, through managed motorways and hard-shoulder running, was also welcomed by the FT, but with some reservations.
Tanner said: “There is no doubt that extended hard-shoulder running and managed motorways will help reduce congestion in the short term. However, intelligent infrastructure investment is needed if we are to meet the ongoing capacity and environmental challenges. A sticking plaster solution will not cure this particular patient.”
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