Skip to main content

FTA calls for all party support of roads reform proposals

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has voiced its support of Transport Focus today, whilst responding to the Department for Transport (DfT) announcement of the reform of the Highways Agency (HA) and introduction of a long term vision for improving the UK road network. The Government has set out how a new watchdog and monitor will play a part in helping England’s motorways and major roads run better, whilst the promise from the new voice of the roads, Transport Focus, is to ‘make a difference for ro
October 29, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
The 6983 Freight Transport Association (FTA) has voiced its support of Transport Focus today, whilst responding to the 1837 Department for Transport (DfT) announcement of the reform of the 503 Highways Agency (HA) and introduction of a long term vision for improving the UK road network.
 
The Government has set out how a new watchdog and monitor will play a part in helping England’s motorways and major roads run better, whilst the promise from the new voice of the roads, Transport Focus, is to ‘make a difference for road users.’
 
As FTA has worked closely, and continues to do so, with Transport Focus (formerly Passenger Focus), the Association recognises the importance of finding an effective solution which will survey and truly represent all road users opinion, and in particular that of freight.
 
Karen Dee – FTA director of Policy said: "FTA is working closely with Transport Focus and supports its plans to make a difference for road users.  There is a steep learning curve for the organisation in taking on this new and important role – not least in understanding what different road users require from the strategic road network. FTA is keen to help Transport Focus develop the knowledge-base it needs so that it can be an effective voice for all road users."
 
Parliament will discuss an expanded remit for the organisation next week, as part of the Infrastructure Bill. The organisation would represent all those who use the motorways and certain A roads in England – including motorists and business users as well as those who walk or cycle on the network. This would sit alongside continued work to represent and make a difference for rail, bus, coach and tram passengers.
 
Ms Dee added: "Taken together, the roads reform proposals set out in the Infrastructure Bill have potential to improve greatly the way we plan, deliver and operate our strategic roads. FTA hopes that the Bill will receive cross-party support so we can put an end to the stop-start funding of roads improvements we have seen so often in the past."

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Carol Schweiger: "I never looked back"
    January 14, 2025
    Carol Schweiger is a legend of the ITS industry. She talks to Adam Hill about her career, real train sets, equity, AI, quantum computing – and the difficulty of behaviour change
  • Data holds the key to combating VRU casualties
    May 8, 2015
    Accident analysis software can help authorities identify common causes and make best use of their budgets, as Will Baron explains. More than 1.2 million people die on the world’s roads each year and according to the World Health Organisation, half of these are pedestrians and vulnerable road users (those whose vehicle does not have a protective shell, such as motorcyclists and cyclists). While much has been done to improve road safety and cut the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads, a great d
  • Cautious welcome for US transportation bill extension
    July 31, 2015
    The US Senate's approval of the three-month MAP-21 extension and the ongoing work in the US Senate to pass a long-term surface transportation authorisation bill has received a cautious welcome from many US transportation authorities. Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) president and CEO Regina Hopper commented: “While the country is in desperate need of a long-term transportation initiative, we remain hopeful that the three-month extension will provide time for the House and Senat
  • Investment and innovation the future of ITS
    January 31, 2012
    Cisco's Paul Brubaker, former administrator of the US Department of Transportation's (USDOT's) Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), takes a look at how the ITS sector is starting to attract the attention of major corporations and what this will mean for intelligent transportation in the coming years