In response to the DFT announcement on local road network funding last week (20 July 2019), FTA’s Malcolm Bingham, Head of Road Network Policy said:

“FTA’s members have been very clear, that the road network has been subject to chronic under-investment for many years. Taxes on UK road transport are the highest in Europe, yet our roads continue to be underfunded:  HGVs alone pay enough tax to fund more than 90% of the current amount spent on road maintenance in the UK.

“While this £348 million investment in the local road network is welcome, it still does not go far enough to tackle the problem nationwide. Estimates show it would cost £9.79 billion* and take ten years for highways departments to resolve all the road repairs currently needed. FTA’s members and their vehicles are taking the hit for a chronic lack of underinvestment in the UK’s roads network, and we hope that this investment marks the start of a longer term, more comprehensive road improvement strategy, which is needed to keep the UK’s supply chain moving.”

*according to the ALARM (Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance) Survey 2019, published by the Asphalt Industry Alliance.

Efficient logistics is vital to keep Britain trading, directly having an impact on more than seven million people employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. A champion and challenger, FTA speaks to Government with one voice on behalf of the whole sector, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers.