UK government urged to invest in ports
There have been callls for the UK government to invest in road and rail links to the country's major container ports – or face economically damaging congestion.
Paul Davey, head of corporate communications at Hutchison Ports UK which owns Felixstowe said the government should pay for road and rail upgrades.
Head of global supply chain policy at the Freight Transport Association Christopher Snelling said the absence of financial support from the government was a long-term cause of port congestion.
Snelling claimed other EU governments provided funding for both road and rail links along with general port infrastructure, with some countries paying for up to 100% of the cost.
“Our government is unique in leaving that aside,” Snelling said. “Hauliers at the mercy of congested ports and crowded roads say they are fighting to manage queues.”
Several local industry sources backed the need for improved infrastructure, saying investments from private enterprise might not be enough.
One industry player told Portworld that government support for a 'market-led' approach to port growth should be revised.
“British ports might originally have been happy to know that there will be minimum government inteference, but such a 'light-touch approach' may leave the private sector with too much responsibility,” he added.
Paul Davey, head of corporate communications at Hutchison Ports UK which owns Felixstowe said the government should pay for road and rail upgrades.
Head of global supply chain policy at the Freight Transport Association Christopher Snelling said the absence of financial support from the government was a long-term cause of port congestion.
Snelling claimed other EU governments provided funding for both road and rail links along with general port infrastructure, with some countries paying for up to 100% of the cost.
“Our government is unique in leaving that aside,” Snelling said. “Hauliers at the mercy of congested ports and crowded roads say they are fighting to manage queues.”
Several local industry sources backed the need for improved infrastructure, saying investments from private enterprise might not be enough.
One industry player told Portworld that government support for a 'market-led' approach to port growth should be revised.
“British ports might originally have been happy to know that there will be minimum government inteference, but such a 'light-touch approach' may leave the private sector with too much responsibility,” he added.