Collaboration is key when driving up growth

Ahead of the combined authority elections, mayoral elections and police & crime commissioner elections across England, our Managing Director, Richard Smith outlines our key asks and highlights how this week's newly elected officials can best support the commercial vehicle industry.

Commercial Vehicle operators are the backbone of British business. The size, growth and performance of the wider UK economy and the size, growth and performance of the road freight and haulage industry are directly linked.

Households, businesses, and the public sector throughout the country rely heavily on our members and companies. We want to keep business and the UK supply-chain moving and performing at the highest levels possible

Our members want decision-makers to work alongside the industry closely. Pro-active co-operation and collaboration between councils, Combined Authorities, Mayors, Police & Crime Commissioners, and the commercial vehicle sector (road haulage and coaches) will bring greater benefits to the wider economy.

Combined Authorities play a key role in strategic planning, particularly in transport, skills, and business support. They have the powers to plan to help alleviate congestion and enhance productivity in their respective regions of the country.

Freight crime is on the rise. We want decision makers to make driving down freight crime a priority. One way to do this is by recognising the role of safe and secure Truckstop parking in tackling this issue. We encourage police and crime commissioners to engage with industry and local and regional authorities to help applications for new safe and secure truck parking.

Higher interest rates and ever-rising costs have made the cost of running commercial vehicles much more expensive this year than last. We need to see direct engagement with and appropriate assistance for the industry that keeps British business moving. 

It’s important for decision makers to consult with and work alongside our industry when developing road freight strategies, and in relevant policy areas which impact everyone. We believe consultation from all levels of government will be important in areas such as facilities improvement, infrastructure, and safety measures. We continue to campaign regularly on these issues as evidenced by our recent series of asks ahead of May 2 elections. We stand ready to work together to support schemes and plans that improve important routes and connectivity.

At a time of challenge for many, collaboration will be key going forward between industry, education, and decision-makers at all levels to develop skills strategies and courses aimed at providing well paid jobs in the sector into the future. Addressing skills shortages in the road transport and commercial vehicle sector (haulage and coaches) will require collaboration to attract, train, and retain talent.

We believe a co-ordinated approach in all these areas will benefit everyone.

-----

Our Key Policy Docs ahead of May 2 Election:

Our Manifesto ahead of the Regional Mayoral & Combined Authorities elections in England -  Driving Up Growth: Combined Authorities and the RHA.

Our Manifesto ahead of the London Mayoral Election - Supplying London – The Road Freight and Coach Industry Manifesto for London.

Our Manifesto ahead of the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections - Driving Down Freight Crime in England.