Experts at The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport UK (CILT UK) are encouraging the Chancellor to protect and boost spending on freight and logistics projects as part of Rachel Reeves’ Comprehensive Spending Review. CILT UK believes that the Government should focus spending on small scale projects within logistics and transport, to help meet growth and net zero goals. 
Freight and logistics are crucial to the country, acting as the backbone of international supply chains and sustaining economic activity. Efficient supply chains are essential to support businesses and jobs and to ensure consumer needs are met. Freight and logistics are an entirely private sector activity but are dependent on public sector infrastructure for road and rail operations.
CILT UK believes that Government should focus on the improvement of key rail routes connecting major ports and quarries to centres of demand, promoting the transfer of long-distance freight from trucks to trains. This would yield extensive advantages, including improved productivity, international trade connections, and a more robust construction industry.
Julian Worth, Chair of CILT’s Rail Freight Forum, explained: “We all know the Chancellor is facing some tough decisions, but if we are to achieve our economic growth, housing and net zero targets we must invest in our freight and logistics infrastructure. To make best use of the limited funds available, funding should be prioritised on projects that deliver maximum returns with the highest Benefit to Cost Ratios.
“For example, electrifying just three miles of railway from London Gateway – the UK‘s fastest growing container port – at a cost of less than £10m, would allow trains to be hauled by electric locomotives all the way to Manchester, Liverpool, Cardiff and Glasgow.”
Electrification of a small number of short gaps in the network, such as the above, would allow freight trains to be hauled by electric locomotives over long distances, with major productivity benefits. Electrically hauled trains accelerate more quickly and move faster than those pulled by diesel locomotives, which frees up capacity on the rail network and allows more freight to be moved by rail. One train – with one driver – moves 50-75 HGV loads, greatly increasing workforce productivity. In addition, using renewable or nuclear power, electric locomotives produce close to zero carbon emissions.
Sue Terpilowski, Chair of CILT’s Public Policy Committee, explained: “Recent investment in infrastructure has seen very extended delivery times. We believe the emphasis going forward – and certainly for the course of this Parliament – should be on small schemes which can be delivered within three years from authorisation to delivery, rather than the “mega” projects of recent decades.”