Wales freight strategy – FTA

The Freight Transport Association has today (3 October) welcomed the announcement by the Deputy First Minister and Minister for Transport at the Welsh Assembly Government, Ieuan Wyn Jones, of the launch of the public consultation regarding the Freight Strategy for Wales. The plan for the Strategy follows yesterday's (2 October) announcement in the Welsh Assembly Government of a four-year plan to improve Wales' transport system. Mr Jones made the announcement at the head office site of Owen Road Services Ltd in Port Talbot.

The aim of the Wales Freight Strategy is to promote an efficient, effective and environmentally sustainable freight transport system to support a growing economy. The Strategy has been developed in conjunction with the Wales Freight Group, a group created by the Welsh Assembly Government which comprises the key stakeholders within the freight industry in Wales. The Group was established by the Welsh Assembly Government in 2005 with the assistance of the Freight Transport Association.

Under the Transport (Wales) Act 2006 the Welsh Assembly Government has a statutory responsibility to publish a Wales Transport Strategy covering the movement of people and freight. Development of the Wales Freight Strategy is in support of this duty. The Wales Freight Strategy is nested within the Wales Transport Strategy and as such is fully consistent with its objectives.

FTA Policy Manager for Wales, Ian Gallagher said, 'The Freight Strategy acknowledges the great importance of efficient freight movement, to the benefit of both industry and the people of Wales. We very much welcome the opportunity for freight operators and FTA to forge closer ties with the Assembly Government and with planners across the principality.'

Bill Simons, Chairman of FTA's Welsh Freight Council said, 'The announcement confirms that freight movement is not an afterthought, but a fundamental element of transport planning for Wales. In an age when we are all looking to receive goods as quickly and as economically as possible, by whatever mode of delivery, a high level document of this nature which concentrates on how we achieve those aims, with due concern for our social and environmental responsibilities, is both important and overdue.'