Freight Transport Association Archives

FTA says Treasury needs to bring forward ‘flexible furloughing’ to this month

21 May 2020

The UK’s Freight Transport Association (FTA) has warned that unless the government creates a more flexible furlough scheme sooner, the sector could face a wave of redundancies when the economy begins to recover.
FTA chief executive David Wells said today: “The furloughing scheme has been a lifeline for logistics businesses across the country, many of which have suffered a dramatic loss of all revenue, thanks to the shutdown in a number …

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https://theloadstar.com/fta-says-treasury-needs-to-bring-forward-flexible-furloughing-to-this-month/

FTA brings in Zoe McLernon to represent multimodal members

19 November 2019

The UK Freight Transport Association (FTA) has appointed Zoe McLernon (pictured above) to the newly created role of multimodal policy manager.
She will join FTA’s 17-strong policy team to speak on behalf of its multimodal members to stakeholders and government.
Alex Veitch, FTA head of multimodal policy, said: “With her extensive experience in UK transport policy, Zoe is perfectly placed to grow FTA’s influence within the multimodal space. Her appointment will cement …

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https://theloadstar.com/fta-brings-in-zoe-mclernon-to-represent-multimodal-members/

Dover aims for business as usual after Brexit, but no-deal will hit trade, Tories told

2 October 2019

A no-deal Brexit could result in a decline in trade through the port of Dover of as much as £1bn, the UK’s Conservative Party was told at its annual conference yesterday.
Speaking at a fringe event, transport minister George Freeman told delegates current government assumptions on the immediate aftermath of a no-deal Brexit were that traffic transiting Dover – the largest gateway for UK-continental freight traffic – would halve for at …

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https://theloadstar.com/dover-aims-for-business-as-usual-after-brexit-but-no-deal-will-hit-trade-tories-told/

Some respite for operators as EU extends transport links after Brexit

5 September 2019

The possibly of a brief respite presented itself to logistics operators preparing for Brexit as the UK government announced a further £2bn in funding and the EU extended access to the market after the UK leaves.
During a spending review, in which chancellor Sajid Javid declared “an end to austerity”, he pledged the £2bn fund for Brexit delivery, with head of policy at the FTA Heidi Skinner welcoming the cash.
“The logistics …

The post Some respite for operators as EU extends transport links...

https://theloadstar.com/some-respite-for-operators-as-eu-extends-transport-links-after-brexit/

Fears of ‘no-deal’ Brexit road and port congestion growing among hauliers

2 August 2019

Hauliers are growing increasingly concerned by the confusion surrounding Brexit as the potential for a no-deal scenario intensifies.
A Department for Exiting the EU consultation paper reportedly says the onus should be on hauliers to travel with correct documentation, should Operation Brock come into force after a no-deal Brexit.
Operation Brock would see coastbound lanes of the M20 at junctions 8 and 9 reserved for HGV traffic and the middle lane kept clear …

The post Fears of ‘no-deal’ Brexit...

https://theloadstar.com/fears-of-no-deal-brexit-road-and-port-congestion-growing-among-hauliers/

Whitehall must factor ‘overlooked’ freight into long-term infrastructure planning

23 April 2019

Logistics stakeholders have welcomed the UK National Infrastructure Commission’s (NIC) latest report, which urges government and industry to factor freight into long-term transport and planning.
Chief executive of UK Major Ports Group Tim Morris said freight was the “essential lifeblood” of the UK economy.
“Yet the freight industry has too often been overlooked by policy makers – a victim of its highly efficient success,” he added.
“The recommendations on better factoring freight into …

The post

https://theloadstar.com/whitehall-must-factor-overlooked-freight-into-future-infrastructure-planning/

Freight operators welcome delay to HMRC Transitional Simplified Procedures

25 March 2019

Freight operators have welcomed HMRC’s decision to delay implementation of the Transitional Simplified Procedures for customs (TSP) in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
Announced in February, the TSP matches trader numbers against trailers and postpones payment of import duties – but only for ro-ro traffic.
TSP met with a fierce backlash from haulage operators who claimed the arrangements prioritised new applicants for authorisation, and forwarder association Bifa was particularly vocal in …

The...

https://theloadstar.com/freight-operators-welcome-delay-to-hmrc-transitional-simplified-procedures/

Logistics sector calls on PM ‘to recognise the real jeopardy of a no-deal Brexit’

12 March 2019

Supply chain operators are urging politicians to consider the logistics sector as the increasingly real prospect of a no-deal Brexit grows.
In a letter to Theresa May, the FTA reminds the prime minister of her 2017 promise to keep “trade as frictionless as possible” when plotting the Brexit path.
Deputy chief executive James Hookham said: “Ms May must urge parliament to recognise the real jeopardy a no-deal Brexit imposes on the logistics …

The post Logistics sector calls on PM ‘to recognise the...

https://theloadstar.com/logistics-sector-calls-on-pm-to-recognise-the-real-jeopardy-of-a-no-deal-brexit/

Calais under fire from haulage association claiming port won’t be ready for Brexit

10 January 2019

The port of Calais has come under fire from the UK’s Road Haulage Association (RHA) over its preparedness for Brexit and claims it won’t perform additional vehicle checks.
During BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, port president Jean-Marc Puissesseau said Calais would not be conducting checks beyond those for food, livestock and migrants.
Chief executive of the RHA Richard Burnett said this did not chime with what the association had been told during …

The post Calais under fire from haulage...

https://theloadstar.co.uk/calais-under-fire-from-haulage-association-claiming-port-wont-be-ready-for-brexit/

Truckers pour scorn on poorly-attended Manston post-Brexit traffic jam trial

7 January 2019

Stress testing Manston Airfield’s ability to cater for truck congestion around Dover descended into farce today.
Less than half the number of expected lorries turned up – one a rubbish-collection truck.
Some 150 trucks were reportedly set to take part in the trial, however, that number plummeted to fewer than 80, with one source noting just 72 arrived.
“If another job turns up, that will take priority for drivers,” the source told The …

The post Truckers pour scorn on poorly-attended Manston...

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