Four round-table groups, mostly road freight, AECOM showcased blue sky case studies for modal shift while practitioners looked at tangible short-term wins for the City. Guests of the Manchester Met University, Dr David Lascelles MMU, ‘welcome to the University’ showcased the master’s degree in supply chain management.
Helen Smith Head of Freight for TfGM opened the introductory workshop. She explained the Greater Manchester story, working with Transport for the North, the Atlantic Gateway, Manchester Airport and Trafford Park.
We want to work with the private sector & academics as devolution for Manchester grows. We are already working closely with police and Highways England on road strategy. Influence to a wider study for a maximum investment with European money. Challenges include e-retail, click-and-collect, movement of retail from conventional high street to home delivery. We are aware of the driver shortage, congestion is a huge issue. Lo-emission and clean air is a priority. The TfGM freight strategy has five areas of focus, Strategy & engagement, safety & regulation, operational activity, infrastructure, planning & research.
Paul Davison AECOM chaired round-table two,
We want a multi-modal forum with tangible outcomes for freight in Greater Manchester, airport, ship canal, and rail and tram system.
Road did not get a mention, and Paul explained,
It’s been difficult to engage with road freight.
Two workshops at each round-table and oddly to Paul's comment, they were mostly road freight. Construction and waste management were missing sectors. The first workshop was strategy of the formation of the freight group - set to launch Sept in the days following the IMX NEC show. The second workshop took a look at strategic issues.
Workshop one, future group discussion for the group reflected the best practice of TfL, split modal sub-groups, road then split again via LoCity to waste, heavy and light vehicle.
Moving to the second workshop for strategy in TfGM, Paul opened with case studies for water and trams. Tram study to move freight onto the Manchester tram system, legacy stock was available for out-of-hours freight on the rails. Water was the next study with a look at Paris. Practitioners at the table re-focused on tangible gains with re-timing, consolidation, loading and unloading, cycle access to inner city and congestion. Modal shift was viewed as a long-term vision. One table outlined the driver shortage and training solutions to the workforce.
Helen Smith closed,
I don’t do things by halves, we want this forum to deliver, we want to hear ideas and we want to act on them. Norther freight strategy should be published June 8th, we expect to launch a formal TfGM freight group Sept 16
Dates for your diary
25th May LoCity Conference, TfL at Guildhall, City of London www.locity.org.uk
14th June IoC Heads of Industry at Heathrow WTC, lunch and pm, speakers include Ian Wainwright TfL, Emma Gilthorpe Heathrow, Charles Wright DVSA, Tony Kells Inpost, John Hix FORS, Esther Horner BIS, John Rock, Army RLC. Share best practice and put issues of compliance and operations to the table. IoC Fellows will be guests of Tracey Aust, principal of West Thames College, Heathrow is a must-not-miss for Heads of industry, the network lunch will be free-of-charge. Arrival from 12 for lunch June 14, free car parking, easy rail from London, finish 16.00
13th July Cartmarking Guildhall City of London. 40 vehicles are branded in the oldest vehicle taxation ceremony in England, today it has become a ceremonial event, 500 guests for lunch, 10.30 until three, very strong networking event at senior level, particularly special this year IoC have a Gnewt electric trike entry alongside the more conventional iconic eighties courier motorbike, Fellows are very welcome to this event.
18th Oct National Courier Awards. Celebrating 20 years. 2016 will be the twenty year birthday of the awards. 2016 is expected to be a very special year and another must-not-miss event, the awards return again to the IOD in Pall Mall. Top team members, it's time to start thinking about nominations to recognise the best of the best in the express industry.
