Freight Transport Association

 As a trade association engaged in supporting industry and commerce to move goods as efficiently as possible we can only comment on public transport in Wales from that point of view.We consider any improvements to road based public transport as being of considerable benefit to freight movements. Freeing up road space by encouraging the use of public transport will reduce congestion and increase the efficiency of the supply chain.We therefore welcome any efforts towards this objective and would endorse any such efforts.We would point out that freight transport is also essential traffic and would therefore suggest that consideration be given to the creation of priority lanes for essential vehicles where appropriate. Such lanes are already in use in Newcastle and parts of London.With regard to rail based public transport we are concerned that the increasing importance given to this mode of transport will have detrimental effects on rail freight. It is necessary to ensure that rail freight does not fall victim to the ever-increasing demand for faster and more frequent passenger travel which is being witnessed currently. A balance between rail freight and passengers must be struck for the benefits of both parties.We hope that this policy review will be a precursor to a 10 year Transport Strategy such as had been produced in England and we hope we will be produced in Scotland.Whilst we support the Assembly in its call for the UK Government to amend the Transport Bill to give the Assembly powers to create passenger transport authorities in Wales, we feel that this should be done under the auspices of a single Welsh Transport Authority. We believe this is necessary In order to ensure integrated transport solutions for both people and goods are achievable.