The Freight Transport Association is pleased that Greater Manchester’s new long-term transport framework has a strong focus on improving strategic road connectivity and keeping city centre traffic moving.
The Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040 (http://bit.ly/2cKz9GO) is the culmination of a public consultation which received almost 1,800 responses and plans to create “an integrated, sustainable and well-coordinated transport system”. It aims to improve the road infrastructure, capitalise on shipping, rail and road links at Port Salford and create a globally-connected city region.
Malcolm Bingham, FTA’s Head of Policy for the North of England, said: “The strategy makes reference to HGV operations during peak periods, which is a positive if it saves trucks sitting in traffic when there is no need. However, that means educating the freight industry’s customers about when and how to schedule deliveries, particularly in the emerging digital economy.
“It is good to see joined-up thinking in setting up a transport system for the area that looks to join up a Key Route Network with the strategic roads of the M6, M60 and the M62.
“The aim to create reliability of the network is a major challenge and we would look to work with the combined authority to ensure that freight operators receive detailed information to enable them to make informed decisions on how they route traffic.”
