More freight capacity needed in the north

摘要

Addressing a seminar on transport policy organised by the Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum in Manchester last month, Peel Ports Chief Operating Officer Gary Hodgson called for 'more pace' in developing freight capacity in the north of England. While 91% of containers arriving in the UK were landed at ports in the south of England, Hodgson pointed out that '50% need to go north where 65% of the population live'. 'It is not logical and it is not sustainable to carry on this way', he suggested, noting that adding three extra lanes to the M25 would be far more costly than improving capacity in the north of England to enable delivery from local ports.