Draft Freight Strategy Consultation
4.0 National, regional, and local policies
4.1 National policies
National polices and strategies on road and rail freight recognise the importance of freight to the UK economy and its contribution to economic growth. The role of new technology and investment in rail freight infrastructure is considered key to meeting wider environmental objectives including reducing emissions from road freight and decarbonisation.
The government has outlined a commitment towards the decarbonisation and transition to zero emission technologies in the freight and logistics sector in its Future of Freight: A Long-term Plan. Innovations in this sector leading to communally available technology are considered key to achieving these goals. Several national strategies and reports have been published that address freight and acknowledge its wider significance nationally.
4.2 Regional policy
England's Economic Heartland's (EEH) Regional Freight Study provides an analysis of freight movements in the region and is intended to support the most efficient ways of providing access to goods, unlocking economic potential, protecting the environment and communities, and future-proofing networks to accommodate growth and improve efficiency. EEH considers the region to be an ideal place for national government to 'test' unique approaches to freight which serve the national interest and help continue to develop the region to meet the needs and aspirations of the current and growing population.
4.3 Local policies
4.3.1 Local Plan
In July 2021 the Council's Local Plan was adopted, setting out how the area is to develop to 2035. The plan addresses future needs and opportunities in relation to infrastructure, homes, jobs and businesses, community facilities and the environment. It establishes clear principles and sound policies for all future development including the allocation of land for new growth. Policy T6 sets out the Council's policy for the movement and management of freight in relation to new development:
Where a development will result in the movement of freight as part of its operations, Central Bedfordshire Council will:
- Require evidence in the Transport Assessment that realistic alternatives to the movement of freight by road-based haulage are not possible or practical
- Ensure that developments forecast to generate significant freight movements are located where they deliver the greatest benefit for businesses, and the least negative impact on the environment and local communities for example, within industrial areas close to the Designated Freight Route Network; and
- Require traffic management measures and developer contributions to mitigate impacts where necessary.
As an authority we need to align our strategies and guidance documents to achieve what is set out in the Local Plan. This Freight Strategy will guide the future of freight management across the authority. Although the Local Plan focuses on managing future growth, it is important that the current issues are managed, and where possible improved across our existing communities as well as for new communities. This will ensure that we have a consistent approach to freight management throughout the authority.
4.3.2 The Minerals and Waste Local Plan
The Minerals and Waste Local Plan Strategic Sites and Policies (2014) sets out the policy framework for mineral extraction and waste management, and the identification of strategic sites for both mineral extraction and waste managementin Central Bedfordshire, Bedford Borough and Luton Borough Council areas. This is supported by a Minerals and Waste Monitoring Report. Both mineral extraction and waste management generate freight movements, so are therefore important to consider in relation to the Freight Strategy.
4.3.3 Sustainability Plan
The Council's Sustainability Plan was adopted in September 2020. The plan sets out the actions the Council will take to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. One of the actions which relates to freight is to:
Support the logistics sector in reducing its carbon footprint by facilitating the use of EV (electric vehicles) or ULEV (ultra-low emission vehicles) and by enabling novel approaches to 'last mile' deliveries and the creation of consolidation centres.
4.3.4 The Local Transport Plan
The Local Transport Plan (LTP) forms a long-term framework for investment in transport infrastructure and services in Central Bedfordshire. It considers the needs of all forms of transport including walking, cycling, buses, rail, freight, and car use. It is a statutory requirement for the authority to produce and maintain the LTP; it has been the method through which Central Government funds local transport schemes since 2000. The aim of the LTP is to enable a strategic approach to the delivery of transport schemes, and to help secure lasting changes in travel behaviour. This Freight Strategy is one of the supporting transport strategies for LTP 4, as part of our approach to network management.
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