The Freight Transport Association view
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Malcolm Bingham, FTA head of policy for the North of England, says: "The freight strategy was very important in keeping local authorities focused on the importance of freight. There have been lots of successes. But we also need to call for action on those points which haven't happened particularly the need for transport infrastructure into the ports.
In the case of Durham, local planners worked with the freight strategy in development and afterwardsbut the opinions of local politicians and the understanding of planners are different things. Durham has an enormous environmental awareness and wanted more emphasis on its proposed intermodai link in Durham.
"But overall the local authorities have taken on board the freight strategy for the benefit of the region."