Freight study aims to support economy and reduce CO2 emissions

The backbone of the East of England`s regional economy is to get further support with the development of a new freight transport strategy.

The East of England Regional Assembly has chosen Steer Davies Gleave (SDG), in association with logistics consultancy LCP Consulting to work up the strategy, which will aim to maximise the benefits of continued economic growth in the region while at the same time striving to reduce CO2 emissions.

Freight significantly contributes to the East of England`s Gross Value Added (GVA) and accounts for about 10% of national employment in the sector. The region is experiencing major new investment in the freight industry and to deal with future growth, the client has recognised a strategy needs to be implemented.

SDG project manager Chris Ferrary said: "The East of England has an important `gateway` role to the world`s markets, with several international ports located in the region, handling large volumes of traffic with origins and destinations throughout the UK.

"However, faster growth in GVA per capita and employee, as well as increasing output and employment will have to be balanced with reducing CO2 emissions and accelerating the decoupling of resource use from economic growth."

More than 400m tons of goods were moved by road in the region in 2003, and 29m tons were collected from the region`s ports. About 3.5m tons were transported from the region by rail in 2003.

The strategy will focus on how the increasing pressure put on the transport networks can be alleviated, as well as paying attention to minimising CO2 emissions and congestion and encouraging economic growth.

"The Regional Freight Strategy will need to focus on promoting modal shift of freight to more sustainable modes. This will also require the identification of practical ways to improve the efficiency in freight distribution and servicing,' Ferrary said.

The strategy is expected to be completed by July 2008, and is intended to inform future revisions of the Regional Transport Strategy and the East of England Plan.