Press Release

TRANSPORT AND THE BUSINESS COUNCIL FOR BRITAIN: WELCOME FROM FTA

28 June 2007

Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s announcement today (28 June) of the creation of a new Business Council for Britain has been warmly welcomed by the Freight Transport Association. FTA says that the needs of the supply chain, and the transport infrastructure and operations which sustain it, must constitute a key ingredient in the work of the Council.

FTA Deputy Chief Executive James Hookham said ‘Last year FTA was heartened by the report of Sir Rod Eddington which emphasised transport’s role in sustaining the UK’s productivity and competitiveness, and by the recognition which came out of that study that an efficient supply chain was a key ingredient in an efficient economy. The Eddington study was commissioned by the Department for Transport, together with the Treasury, then under the leadership of Chancellor Brown and I hope that Prime Minister Brown will similarly recognise the wisdom and advice which it contained.

‘The Business Council for Britain is a welcome initiative. Its agenda must recognise these realities and influence the Government regarding the provision of sufficient investment for additional capacity on road and rail, together with ports development. We live in a growing economy which will be subject to different needs in the future as the UK increases its consumption of imports from the Far East and the stresses which moving those imports place on the supply chain and the transport infrastructure.

‘For too long we have wasted too much time and money on the dead weight of road and rail congestion. We now look forward to the Business Council clarifying these needs to the new Government.’

FTA has also welcomed the appointment of Ruth Kelly as Secretary of State for Transport. James Hookham said ‘Only a few weeks ago FTA expressed support for the Government’s plans for an independent planning commission in order to, hopefully, fast-track arrangements for the construction of major transport infrastructure including motorways and ports. This matter fell within Ms Kelly’s former remit as Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and it is encouraging that she welcomed these proposals. In addition her experience as a former Treasury minister will hopefully bring a recognition of the economy’s reliance on efficient freight transport.’

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