The FTA has delivered its 'freight manifesto' for the capital to mayoral candidates standing in next month's London elections.

In the Manifesto, FTA outlines how all London’s needs require freight movements and looks closely at the example of housing, stating that in order to build just one house at least 34 commercial vehicles would be required.  

In addition, the Association urged the candidates to avoid simplistic blanket approaches such as HGV bans, saying that such a policy would massively increase the cost of doing business in London – especially construction – without achieving the safety gains assumed.

David Wells, FTA chief executive said:  “Freight is vital to the future of London.  Cities are built by freight and they live on freight.  Thesocial importance of the logistics industry is all too often overlooked.

“FTA’s Manifesto emphasises that freight is always only used when there is a purpose.  Construction is a great example of this - London apparently needs 59,000 new homes built every year.  It is clear that you cannot get this done without the use of lorries to supply the building and fitting of them.”

London’s people and businesses require over 360,000 tonnes of goods to be supplied by lorry each day.  That’s 15,000 tonnes picked up or dropped off each hour, or 250 tonnes every minute; as this figure excludes vans and other modes, it is only a part of what freight delivers.

Freight has social costs – in accidents and emissions.  But these are being addressed through investment in new technology, better driving practices and better enforcing existing regulations.

Wells added: “FTA believes that working with the logistics industry, the next Mayor of London and the London Assembly can make the capital a better place to live and work.” 

The manifesto can be downloaded here.