BIFAlink


Policy & Compliance


www.bifa.org


Reports put emissions from moving freight under the spotlight


A new UK report looks at freight usage on UK roads and its impact on the environment, while a European Commission report focuses specifically on emissions


Rather overlooked, just before Christmas, two documents were issued highlighting the concerns relating to, and benefits of, the modern logistics/cargo industry. The reader should be aware that logistics, from a government standpoint, is a broad sector including passenger transport and bus operations, but the main focus of both documents is primarily on our Members’ cargo related activities. The first document is an interim report entitled


‘Future of Freight’ released by the UK’s National Infrastructure Commission, looking at the wider impact of our sector. The second, a Commission proposal from the EU, focuses solely on emissions from trucks.


The first mentioned document recognises the importance of the sector stating that “freight is the lifeblood of the UK’s economy and society”. Also, it is stated that its role is little appreciated by the consumer, nor its needs recognised by government at either national or local level. Demand for transport is increasing, particularly as consumers demand faster, cheaper and more convenient deliveries. The UK’s freight and logistics sectors comprise about 195,000 enterprises, employing 2.5 million people and contributing £121 billion gross value added to the economy. Ports are recognised as the UK’s main global gateway, handling 95% of the country’s imports and exports by weight in 2017 and the majority of the UK’s international roadfreight deliveries. However, it is a declining picture falling from a peak of 585 million tonnes in 2005, down to 481 million tonnes in 2017, mainly due to a


14


reduction in the movement of fossil fuels. The Infrastructure Commission Report states


that all major forms of freight create harmful emissions that generate greenhouse gases reducing air quality and thus contribute towards climate change.


Increased congestion


The other main negative impact of freight is increased congestion, causing delays, pollution, etc, and therefore cost. It is estimated that it costs £60 per hour for a roadfreight operator to have a truck delayed in traffic. However, an hour’s lost production waiting for parts delayed in traffic would cost Jaguar Land Rover £1.25 million for the same time period. Also, traffic patterns are changing with an


increasing use of white vans. Road usage makes interesting reading. Heavy goods vehicles are disproportionately concentrated on the Strategic Road Network. In 2017 only 5% of all vehicle miles were completed by HGVs, but this increases to 11% of mileage on motorways and


9% of mileage on urban and rural A roads. Allowing for the fact that an HGV occupies the space equivalent of 2.5 vehicles, HGVs account for 12% of all traffic across all roads, but 25% of all traffic on motorways and 19% of traffic on urban and rural highways. By contrast, HGVs are only a small component of urban traffic, making up only 2% of vehicle miles or 4% of traffic. However, goods vehicles are regarded as having a disproportionate impact on urban roads, particularly when stationary or at peak traffic times. The Greater London Authority’s data states that a third of central London’s traffic in the morning is HGVs or LGVs. Turning its attention to planning, the Infrastructure Commission Report’s authors recognise that whilst there is little that can be done relative to the location of major infrastructure providers, such as (air)ports, there is much that can be done relative to the location of warehouses and how they serve the customer, regardless of distance to be travelled. Also, there


February 2019


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20