Rising congestion could cost distributors warns FTA

Distributor representatives have warned that a return to pre-recession levels of congestion could add unnecessary cost to the industry.

The Freight Transport Association “cautiously welcomed” the news from Trafficmaster that UK traffic volumes are increasing, suggesting a move to economic recovery.

But it added that commercial growth could be tempered by the costs of heavy congestion.

Congestion costs the UK economy a staggering £20 billion per year and contributes thousands of tonnes of CO2 to the atmosphere.

Malcolm Bingham, head of road traffic management policy at the FTA, said: “Increasing commercial traffic does indicate increasing commercial activity and after the appalling year the logistics industry has had, it is a relief to see signs of a recovery.

“But if traffic returns to pre-2008 levels we will be back to square one, with heavy congestion clogging up some of our most essential arterial trade routes.”

Among the solutions proposed by the FTA are: a reduction in rates on the M6 toll road; and the integration of other modes of transport, such as rail freight, into the supply chain.