6 October 2006
Inaugural freight quality partnership meeting
Chair of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, Councillor Alistair Watson will open the inaugural Freight Quality Partnership meeting in Glasgow on Tuesday (10 October).
In his opening speech to members of the newly formed Partnership, Cllr Watson will highlight the importance of efficient freight distribution and outline the constraints and opportunities for freight transport in Strathclyde.
Speaking before the meeting he said, "Freight plays a vital role in the Scottish economy and it is crucial that we develop a strategy to address the needs of the economy, the environment and society.
"The Strathclyde Freight Quality Partnership is only the second such Partnership to be set up in Scotland and its aim is to develop a closer working relationship between regional and local government, the freight industry and its customers.
"I hope that the Partnership will provide an effective working forum in which all partners can agree and deliver solutions to the freight issues we currently face."
Establishment of the Freight Quality Partnership reflects SPT’s responsibilities under the Transport (Scotland) Act 2005 and is based on guidance produced by the Scottish Executive. Tuesday’s meeting will be chaired by SPT and the Freight Transport Association (FTA) and will involve key members of the freight industry.
Gavin Scott, Head of Policy in Scotland for the Freight Transport Association said: "This is the first Freight Quality Partnership set up under the new Regional Transport Partnerships and I hope it won’t be the last. This FQP gives us the opportunity for SPT to work together with the distribution industry and other interested parties to improve the way goods and services are delivered."
Agreement on membership and constitution of the Quality Partnership will be sought and attendees will also contribute to the development of initiatives to be considered in the Regional Freight Strategy which will be used as input into the Regional Transport Strategy. SPT has commissioned MVA and the FTA to assist with the development of the Freight Strategy.
Among the issues to be looked at by the new Partnership are preferred
routes for freight delivery, relaxing delivery curfews where appropriate,
identifying sites that can be used as freight access terminals, safeguarding
strategic freight sites and facilitating the movement of freight by rail
to reduce the impact of road freight on communities.
ends