Today (24 April 2018), the Department for Transport (DfT) published a study of England's port connectivity which reviews the ability of rail and road connections to move freight to and from English ports and provides recommendations on how to raise the profile of shipping, encourage closer collaboration on freight and improve information-sharing.
The study will also influence funding, policy and planning decisions. It aims to demonstrate the value that English harbours add to the economy at a local and national level, and the value of their global trade links. The study also examines how port connectivity issues are managed, and the development plans and ambitions for the future.
The study has further sought to gain a better understanding of the transport and economic corridors serving England's ports to highlight the advantages of port connectivity and increase the profile of the port industry's role. Improved rail and road links will provide more effective freight journeys between important economic areas and ports, which will increase productivity, lower costs and provide access to international markets.
In launching the Port Connectivity Study, Shipping Minister Nusrat Ghani said:
"The nation’s ports are crucial to our success, contributing £5.4 billion to our economy.
Shipping is still one of the most efficient way of transporting goods from across the globe into our homes. But the journey doesn’t stop at a port. Good connections to distributors and manufacturers are also vital in ensuring that products reach our shelves without delay.
Better links won’t just boost imports, but will also support British companies that export products across the globe, helping them exploit new international trade opportunities."
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