FTA helps advise local authorities
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THE INSTITUTION of Highways and Transportation (IHT) has teamed up with the FTA to launch a series of guidelines for local authority transport planners designed to help them move freight more efficiently Dr Kit Mitchell from the IHT says the guidelines have two main objectives: first, to explain to planners how the freight distribution system works and what it needs to operate economically with minimum impact in the community. And second, to identify practical measures to help move freight in both rural and urban areas.
These measures include providing secure parking for goods vehicles, and issuing drivers with maps showing primary routes and shared bus and HGV lanes.
Mitchell explains: -We need goods to be moved but we don't want the transport that brings goods to town centres on country roads; we need to get a balance between the economy and the environment. Much is already being done to minimise the environmental impact of freight and these guidelines should show planners that even more can be done."
The FTA's chief executive, Richard Turner, explains: "A lot of planners are unsure about freight. The consequences of this are that they either have very little to say about this or they make decisions that are unpopular with operators.
"This will give them an insight into the freight industry.