KCC Transport Plan Good For Freight – Ridgeway Training – CPC London
5 out of 10 priorities that were highlighted in Kent Count Council’s new transport plan will have a direct impact for the freight industry, according to the Freight Transport Association.
KCC have launched a 12-week consultation for its Local Transport Plan 4: Delivering Growth without Gridlock 2016-2031 which identifies key infrastructure developments all over the country that are needed to support growth targets.
The five priorities that will benefit the freight industry are:
- A new Lower Thames Crossing
- A solution to Operation Stack
- Splitting port traffic between the M2 and M20
- Port expansion at Dover Western Docks
- Provision for overnight lorry parking
FTA Head of Policy for London and the South East, Natalie Chapman, had this to say about the plan: “The plan identifies a number of issues that FTA agrees should be a priority for Kent. Lorry parking is a problem throughout the country, but it is especially difficult for drivers approaching the Port of Dover to find a safe place to take their breaks.
“We need a decision on the Lower Thames Crossing and the accompanying improvements to the A2 as soon as possible. Plans for a lorry area at Stanford as an alternative to Operation Stack and the proposed traffic management on the motorways towards the port will all play a key role in keeping freight moving.”
A brand new Lower Thames Crossing to the east of Gravesend would mean that the M2/A3 becomes the route of choice for freight heading to the Port of Dover. This would be very beneficial to Dover, by keeping continent bound vehicles away from the town.
Having said that, Ms Chapman stated that the whole of the A2 north of Dover would need to be at least dual carriageway otherwise there would be potential bottlenecks adding time and cost to the journey.
The proposed Western Docks expansion would also help create more capacity for freight traffic which has seen year-on-year increases and is expected to continue to grow. Ms Chapman stated that it was important that the capacity and systems are in place to allow the freight industry to move forward and prevent it queuing out of the Port or having to be held elsewhere.
Ridgeway Training – CPC London
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