Freeze on non-essential road repairs could have disastrous effect on London logistics, warns FTA

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has warned that the Mayor of London’s announcement of a freeze on non-essential road repairs could cause “damage and delays which will have a disastrous impact on the capital’s ongoing financial profitability”.

In a statement issued yesterday (22 February), the FTA’s Head of Urban Policy, Natalie Chapman said: “London cannot function if its roads do not work. It takes 400 thousand tonnes of goods every day to keep the Capital working. But the cost of transporting these keeps increasing as congestion gets worse and restrictions on commercial vehicles are extended, with the introduction of the new Direct Vision Standard and Ultra-Low Emission Zone. Now we are told non-essential road maintenance is to be abandoned for two years, this is bad news for costs, congestion, emissions and safety.

“Whatever the reason for this announcement, Transport for London must appreciate the importance of ensuring London’s roads can carry vital deliveries such as food, medical supplies and building materials. The suggestion that size or weight restrictions might be introduced, due to a lack of maintenance is entirely unacceptable.”

Chapman continued: “Central government needs to do far more to ensure our major roads are properly maintained and improved to carry freight movements. That is why FTA supports government’s plans for a new Major Road Network, providing ring-fenced funding for some of the nation’s busiest and most important local authority routes. This is vital to ensure the success of our logistics industry and to keep Britain trading. We also call on the Mayor of London to look urgently at his funding priorities to ensure freight services to the Capital are not disrupted.”