Increasing freight puts strain on Welsh roads

12.57.07pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 14th Dec 2006

Welsh Liberal Democrat Enterprise, Innovation and Networks spokesperson, Kirsty Williams, has expressed her concern at the impact of the increasing amount of freight moved by road in Wales.

New figures show a 13 per cent increase in exports, and a 23 per cent increase in imports, carried by road to and from Wales.

Ms Williams said: "While increasing exports and imports may suggest good things about the Welsh economy, we need to look at how we can move these goods in a way that does as little damage as possible to our environment. The Government needs to look at how to encourage more freight to travel by rail and sea, by developing freight interchanges and container transhipment hubs across the UK.

"Capacity is a very real issue for our transport network, and the movement of freight cannot be separated from personal transport. A new high speed rail line for passengers, for example, would free up more space on the old line for freight; road pricing is a good incentive for business, as well as individuals, to consider other means of transportation. What is needed is joined-up thinking, making sure the alternatives to road use are there (by reforming the planning system, for example, to allow ports to expand, and ensure access to waterside and freight handling facilities are protected from increasing development), so that we can build a thriving and sustainable Welsh economy."

Notes:

· Welsh Transport Statistics 2006: Chapter 3 - Road Freight was published today. Key figures include: in 2005 there were an estimated 658 thousand tonnes of exports by road from Wales, an increase of 13 per cent since 2004; and an estimated 442 thousand tonnes of imports were carried by road to Wales in 2005, 23 per cent more than in 2004.