Transport for the North has today launched its report into how transport of freight and logistics across the North of England can play a vital role in rebalancing the UK’s economy. The Northern Freight and Logistics Report highlights the potential for the North’s freight and logistics sector to make a significant contribution to the overall economy with a forecast potential £35 billion worth of benefits to the Northern Powerhouse by 2060, as well as making a positive contribution to the sustainability agenda by encouraging more freight on rail.
The Northern Freight and Logistics Report, which was prepared by Mott Macdonald and MDS Transmodal on behalf of Transport for the North, makes recommendations to support the reduction of the cost of freight transport, expand the global market share for the North in the logistics sector and attract inward private investment into the Northern Powerhouse and UK as a whole.
John Cridland, Chair of Transport for the North, said: “This is an important report both for the private sector and for local and central government, with a range of practical suggested interventions to help create a step change in the Northern economy. We will be carefully considering these recommendations as we prepare our Strategic Transport Plan, which will be released next year.”
Interventions suggested in the Report include:
The Report envisions a joint approach to delivery, with infrastructure improvements in the short, medium and long term delivered by the public sector working alongside commitment and investment from the private sector. Following the publication of this report, Transport for the North will now begin identifying recommendations for short and medium-long term strategic investments, through the Strategic Transport Plan, which will also be supported by a wider International Connectivity Report to be released later this year.
For more information, download the reports below: