News
Praise for the
UK’s logistics
industry
P
art of DCC Energy, Flogas
Britain was presented with the
Logistics Champion of the Year
for Essential Services award at the fi rst
annual Freight Transport Association’s
Logistics Awards held at London’s
InterContinental in mid-December.
Praising the contribution of the
logistics sector to the UK economy,
Jesse Norman MP told the audience
that ‘at a time when the economy is
under pressure, the performance of the
logistics industry is something to be
celebrated’.
FTA chief executive, David Wells,
who hosted the awards said:
“The logistics sector often goes
unrecognised and yet its work forms the
backbone of British industry – without it,
Britain simply would not keep trading.
“Our members supply everything
from raw materials for our factories, to
high-tech devices and medication for
hospitals, along with food to every single
supermarket and corner shop in the UK.
“These awards have given
companies and organisations
the opportunity to highlight their
achievements and it’s particularly
heartening to hear the transport
minister speak so highly of the sector’s
role in driving the future growth of the
UK economy.”
A draft plan for London
L
aunched by London’s mayor Sadiq Khan in December 2017, the new Draft London Plan is ‘a
positive step for the city’s logistics sector’ says the FTA.
Consultation on the document, which sets out a proposed strategy, to shape how London
evolves and develops, is open until March 2018.
Once adopted, all planning decisions should follow London Plan policies.
“The draft London Plan shows a good understanding of some of the challenges faced by companies
transporting goods in and out of the capital,” said Natalie Chapman, FTA’s head of policy for London.
“Rising land values and the pressure for housing has left industrial land in short supply. This means
logistics hubs have been pushed further and further from the centre, leading to longer journey times and
more vehicles on the roads.
“FTA is pleased to see the recognition of a need for more industrial land within London. However,
we would like to see space earmarked for smaller logistics hubs close to the city centre, to service the
growing use of electric vehicles.”
“We’d like the mayor and his team to address the need for lorry parks in London to allow drivers to
take their breaks in a secure and pleasant environment and without causing disruption to residents living
along major routes.”
The FTA also welcomed the plan’s emphasis on the increased use of water and rail to service the
city’s growing population and is ‘delighted to see that the plan requires developers to consider the
impact of existing industry on new housing developments and places the burden on house-builders to
adopt noise reducing design and even in some cases pay for sound-proofi ng’.
New Era delivers fuel into the city of London every day – discover this
company’s interesting journey on page 14
Leeds – Clean Air Zone
P
lans announced for the Leeds Clean Air
Zone (CAZ) are much more extensive
than anticipated says FTA’s head
of policy in the north of England, Malcolm
Bingham who urged West Yorkshire businesses
to make their voices heard or risk incurring
signifi cant additional operating costs.
Leeds City Council published a draft
consultation document outlining proposals
for its local scheme. Under the plans, trucks
and buses which do not meet the Euro VI
emissions standard will have to pay a daily
charge of £100 to operate within the zone.
The public consultation period which opened
last month, closes on 2nd March 2018 with
fi nal plans likely to be implemented by the end
of 2019.
“Whether companies operate a single van
or a large fl eet of trucks, they must establish
how they will be affected by these proposals
and send their comments to Leeds City
Council,” said Malcolm.
“This is the last chance to have an impact
on the fi nal scheme.”
www.leeds.gov.uk/business/pages/
air-quality.aspx
For more on the introduction of Clean Air Zones and the operational challenges facing logistics companies in 2018, see the
Transport Manager conference report on pages 19 and 21
Fuel Oil News | February 2018 9