Issue - meetings

To consider and approve the Freight and Logistics Strategy.

Lead: Tim Foster/Lucy Hudson

6.1          Members received the report from the Principal Policy Officer for Freight and Logistics who highlighted the key points of the report.

6.2          The Board urged the executive to work closely with the freight industry in order that the importance of freight is better reflected moving forward.

6.3          Mr. Mark Roberts highlighted the importance of freight and decarbonisation to business.  He stated that the comments made during the consultation need to be translated, where possible, into resource and support and he believed that the private sector through the LEPs and businesses would welcome the opportunity to work closely with the executive on implementing the Strategy.

Mr. Peter Kennan raised the issue of engagement with small and medium sized enterprises and asked that be given consideration during the development of the action plans.

6.4          Cllr Hale highlighted the private ownership of many of the gateway ports and observed that in order for them to make investments they would want to see binding targets for decarbonising the freight sector from Government.

Mayor Brabin stated that the M62 is one of the most congested roads East to West for freight and believes that this is an opportunity for more freight to be moved by rail.  She also highlighted Network Rail’s plans on the raising of bridge heights to accommodate freight movements. On the issues of low liner wagons, she asked if there had been any further discussions around whether this is considered as the cheaper option.

6.5          Mr. Adam Simmons welcomed the multi modal approach on freight and stated that National Highways would continue to work with TfN on this.  He also highlighted the work that National Highways already does with Network Rail on the issue of bridge clearances.

6.6          On the issue of freight moving to rail the Principal Policy Officer for Freight and Logistics highlighted how through the Strategy the North is leading the way on developing additional rail freight journeys.  On the issue of low line wagons, she explained that TfN’s approach should be presenting the case for W12 gauge enhancements on the core parts of the network for rail freight. She also stated that further research was needed on the issue of weakened bridges which was a question raised through Scrutiny.

Resolved:

That the Board notes the progress to date, including the outcome of the consultation and the comments from Scrutiny Committee and that it formally adopts the Freight and Logistics Strategy.

To provide an update on the Freight and Logistics Strategy consultation activity and outcomes.

Lead: Tim Foster/Lucy Hudson

3.1             Members received the report from the Principal Policy Officer for Freight and Logistics who highlighted the key points of the report and the strategy.

3.2          The Chair thanked the Principal Policy Officer for Freight and Logistics and congratulated her on the number of responses she had received. 

On the issue of road haulage he suggested an improvement of facilities in transport hubs.  He also suggested collaborating with an overall freight body if one exists rather that working direct with private hauliers.

3.3          Cllr Davison raised the issues of decarbonisation, overhead electrification and line speeds.  He  raised concern as to how poorly the North is serviced by intermodals with the North currently having six.  He highlighted their importance and believed the Local authorities could do more on this issue when planning.

3.4          Cllr Fletcher raised issue of gauging and  TfN’s policy  on this. 

The Principal Policy Officer for Freight and Logistics explained that the ambition is for w12 particularly across Pennines, whilst in other parts of the North about a key issue is monitoring  the industry and what people want. 

Cllr Fletcher asked whether there is  no longer a Trafford Park to Newcastle service as this was not showing on the map. 

The Principal Policy Officer for Freight and Logistics confirmed that she would query this and update for future iterations. 

Cllr Fletcher then raised the issue of capacity and whether the Woodhead tunnel would be opened in order to provide this.  The Principal Policy Officer for Freight and Logistics agreed that extra capacity is needed; however in order to avoid criticism and not to take away from the credibility of the Strategy she was unable to include the reopening of old lines, but explained that when fiscal opportunities present themselves in the future these will be explored. 

On the issues of warehousing and rail connection Cllr Fletcher asked if there were any powers that could ensure that planning officers take this into account when granting permission on warehouses opening.

The Principal Policy Officer for Freight and Logistics stated that Local Authorities should secure network rail opinions as part of the decision-making process. 

The Chair suggested that TfN write a letter to Network Rail asking it to agree to participate in any inter local inter modal hubs and that local authority planning authorities be copied into the response.

3.5             The Chair asked if the IRP has had an influence on any of the Strategy.

The Principal Policy Officer for Freight and Logistics stated that regardless of what has been published the Freight and Logistics Strategy would still argue for gauge clearance, connectivity and analysis of future demand for rail traffic. She emphasised that she would rather consider what can be done than what the North has not been given.

3.6             The Interim Strategy and Programme Director explained that it is clear that the IRP is not going to deliver on ambitions on freight and work is in progress in the background on the IRP and the implications  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3

To provide an update on the Freight and Logistics Strategy consultation activity and outcomes.

Lead: Tim Foster

7.1             Members requested more time to review the strategy and asked for Consultation call on this item prior to Board.

Resolved:

That a Consultation Call be set up prior to the Transport for the North Board for Members to discuss this item.