FTA asks for Commonwealth Games clarity

FTA used its recent Scottish Supply Chain Conference to call on the responsible authorities to clarify arrangements for logistics providers operating in Glasgow during next year’s Commonwealth Games.

The event, which included speakers from Glasgow 2014, the city council, Transport Scotland, Police Scotland and the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, was hosted by law firm DWF Biggart Baillie late last month.

FTA highlighted its previous work with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and Transport for London in preparing for last year’s Olympics, stressing the importance of early provision of information to allow logistics providers to plan ahead for the event. Meanwhile, logistics providers DHL and 3663 shared their experiences and lessons learned, as did Transport for London.

FTA said: “A lack of forthcoming information will leave freight and logistics operators feeling unprepared, and FTA is calling on the authorities responsible for organising the Games and the operation of the road network surrounding the event, to provide vital details regarding changes to routes around Glasgow as soon as possible in order that plans can be made.”

Chris MacRae, FTA head of policy for Scotland, added: “We’re working closely with the organisers to shape the plans and disseminate information for FTA members. But, our experience from London and the Olympic Games 2012, is that we need as much information, as early as possible, to identify which customers will be affected and to develop appropriate solutions.

“The information doesn’t need to be perfect – the logistics industry can manage change – that’s what we do – but we can’t plan if we don’t have anything. Eighty per cent of something would be better than one hundred per cent of nothing.”

He continued: “A Freight Team for the Commonwealth Games would help the industry plan. We need people with industry experience on the inside cross checking that the plans will work for freight and logistics organisations who will be operating in and around Scotland during the Games.

“The London Olympics was a smooth logistical operation but that was not by chance; it was down to meticulous planning by industry and close partnership working with the organisers and transport authorities.”