‘Urgent action is needed’ on national logistics network
Logistics UK has warned that slow progress by the government in identifying a national logistics network is increasing congestion costs, inhibiting growth and hampering the sector’s ability to decarbonise in a sustainable manner.
The claim comes following the publication of the organisation’s UK Logistics Network – Progress Tracker, which reviews progress made against its original UK Logistics Report published in November 2024.
The review shows that, of the 10 recommendations made by Logistics UK in the original report, ‘substantial progress’ has only been made on one – the establishment of the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).
The UK Logistics Network report, which is available here, mapped the most critical logistics routes in the UK and made recommendations on means of driving efficiency and boosting the economy.
The Progress Tracker, which was published yesterday, reviews subsequent activity against the original industry demands, demonstrating where more should be done to strengthen the infrastructure that underpins the sector.
It highlights some progress in the last 12 months, including the publication by the government of its 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy, NISTA’s establishment and progress on projects of national significance, such as the Lower Thames Crossing which received the green light earlier this year. But in other areas, swift movement is required, the association says.
The Progress Tracker takes the original report’s recommendations and deploys a ‘red, amber, green’ traffic light system to rate progress on each of them. One key recommendation called on government to develop a strategy that would align energy infrastructure and low-carbon and zero-emission fuel provision with the decarbonisation of the freight sector. Progress in this area was rated red, with specific measures to support HGV decarbonisation and charging infrastructure classified as ‘still to do’.
But the government scored green for the establishment of NISTA in April, with the report suggesting that there is evidence NISTA’s integrated approach “delivers better logistics outcomes than previous modal planning”.
“Our initial report was published as a conversation starter, but the time for talking is over – urgent action is needed,” said Logistics UK’s head of infrastructure and planning policy Jonathan Walker.
“The government has recognised it needs to better understand the freight network and the case for adopting the network mapping in our original report remains overwhelming. Our research revealed a network of interconnected road, rail, air and maritime transport routes, and showed how the system is reliant on a relatively small number of key corridors.
Logistics UK’s Jonathan Walker
“These are the routes that logistics operators are reliant upon, and therefore the routes that are most critical for delivering efficient and resilient supply chains. Formally identifying these transport corridors would create a shared understanding across Whitehall and industry of what needs protecting and enhancing, aiding all stakeholders to work together to achieve the country’s economic ambitions.”
He continued: “Congestion, under-investment and fragmented planning continue to constrain the UK’s growth. Between 2015 and 2024, the annual cost of congestion on the Strategic Road Network for HGVs rose by more than £930 million, dragging down UK productivity.
“At the same time, the UK cannot decarbonise effectively without coordinated investment in energy infrastructure for freight – and that requires clarity on where it needs to be located.
“There needs to be a shared view across government on which transport corridors are most essential to the UK’s supply chains – our report set these out in autumn 2024 and our analysis needs to be adopted by the government as part of the upcoming Freight Plan.”
