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

  • Road safety - the challenge ahead
    April 25, 2012
    More than 1.3 million people die in road accidents each year. If nothing is done, this already chilling figure risks to rise to 1.9 million deaths per year. Around 90 per cent of road fatalities occur in emerging and developing countries. Here, the mixture of population growth and higher numbers of vehicles due to rising incomes are proving a deadly combination, as infrastructure and regulatory environment have difficulty keeping pace.
  • Towards common standards for cooperative road infrastructures
    July 23, 2012
    Michael Noblett of Connexis discusses international progress towards common standards for cooperative road infrastructures. Will vehicle safety communications standards be able to support ITS on the international level, or will we settle once again for regional interoperability only? The answer lies in the current status of the draft standards themselves, and the requirements users and authorities are placing on the people who draft them.
  • London steps up enforcement of ‘bike boxes’
    August 15, 2013
    Transport for London (TfL), the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and City of London Police (CoLP) has stepped up its enforcement of advanced stop lines, more commonly known as ‘bike boxes’, to help further improve safety for cyclists on the capital’s roads. Advanced stop lines are the boxes marked on the road with a bike symbol painted inside, located at many traffic lights. The cyclist has a stop line several feet ahead of the line used by other vehicles in order to give cycles more space so they can be s
  • Federal Signal supplies all the elements of end to end tolling
    January 31, 2012
    Manfred Rietsch, group president of Federal Signal Technologies (FST), talks about the recent acquisitions forming FST and the organisation's plans for the future. "Our philosophy is going to be about open access" Federal Signal has been on a buying spree. An energetic policy of acquisition over the past few months has seen the company reposition itself as an end-to-end provider of Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) systems with what it states is a portfolio of proven, best-in-class technologies which will al