FTA welcomes publication of draft port policy paper10 November 2009 The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has welcomed the Department for Transport’s (DfT) long-awaited National Policy Statement for ports. The leading trade body believes that the draft statement should pave the way for much-needed port development, thereby securing a brighter future for the UK’s economy. Christopher Snelling, Head of Global Supply Chain Policy for FTA, said: “It is very pleasing that this document recognises the importance of improved port infrastructure in making the UK a good place to do business. It correctly projects that massively increased container capacity will be required by the UK in the years to come. Particularly pleasing is the recognition that capacity should ideally be greater than the level of demand. This would help make UK port operations more competitive and provide greater resilience in the UK supply chain when disruption occurs.” Snelling also noted that this document is welcome as the first of the new National Policy Statements to be issued under the new planning regime. He added: “Up until now the planning process has been painfully slow – something which benefits neither local residents nor developers. It took the port of Southampton seven years and £45m to get a decision on a previous development plan – that is bad for everyone. Hopefully these new statements, which set out what kind of development the UK requires, along with the new Infrastructure Planning Commission, which can make decisions on nationally significant projects, will help improve this situation and allow us to play catch-up with the rest of Europe.” FTA will consult with members of its International Supply Chain Forum to assess the detailed contents of the document before providing a full response. ENDS Notes for editors 1. Responses to the draft document will be considered by the Department for Transport and the House of Commons Transport Select Committee in February 2010. 2. The NPS states: In the last 40 years freight traffic through UK ports increased by three quarters. In 2008, ports in England and Wales handled 442 million tonnes of goods, out of a UK total of 562 million tonnes, representing about 95% of the total volume of UK trade, and 75% of its value. Shipping will continue to provide the only effective way to move the vast majority of freight in and out of the UK and the provision of sufficient sea port capacity will remain an essential element in ensuring sustainable growth in the UK economy. 3. The Freight Transport Association represents the transport interests of companies moving goods by road, rail, sea and air. FTA members operate over 220,000 goods vehicles – almost half the UK fleet. In addition they consign over 90 per cent of the freight moved by rail and over 70 per cent of sea and air freight. Visit www.fta.co.uk for more information | 
