The Freight Transport Association has backed the EU Commission’s The Future of European Transport Policy document, which points to multi-modality as the way forward for freight.
Chris Yarsley, FTA’s EU affairs manager, said: “Freight’s interests are best served by a truly multi-modal approach. A holistic approach to transport will not only serve the logistics sector better, but will also mean that businesses get optimal performance from their supply chains. We are pleased that the Commission seems to agree.”
FTA says the infrastructure planning needed to optimise freight flows will look to reduce external costs, such as congestion, pollution and noise. However, it says that the crucial question of how future projects will be funded is still unresolved.
“A combination of public funding and user-charging is the method of funding advocated by the European Commission. Of course, there is understandable public support for the ‘polluter pays’ principle but there is also a strong argument from the industry that transport already contributes via taxes, tolls and charges,” said Yarsley.
