Together with our other STB partners in the wider south east region, Transport East and Transport for the South East, we have established the Wider South East Freight Forum.
The forum aims to:
- Promote a better understanding and partnership working between freight and logistics operators, business representatives and public sector.
- Share good practice, knowledge, expertise and advice between the members across the wider geographical area.
- Facilitate collaborative working to resolve common issues and drive action towards shared goals.
The area covered by the three sub-national transport bodies is home to some of the busiest international gateways in the UK including Heathrow, Stansted, Gatwick and Luton airports, along with the ports of Southampton, Portsmouth, and Felixstowe. This results in some of the busiest freight routes in the UK travelling through the EEH region, accessing logistic centres in the Midlands.
The movement of goods does not stop at borders. To recognise this, the Wider South East Freight Forum brings together freight and logistics industry representatives including: Logistics UK, the Road Haulage Association, local authorities, business representatives, and ports and airports.
The forum supports a better understanding of each member’s needs, identify areas for collaboration and joint working and be a mechanism to share expertise, knowledge and good practice across the wider south east. The forum will also enable members to support the implementation of EEH, TE, and TfSE’s work on freight.
Topics discussed by the forum to date include improved HGV parking and driver welfare facilities; fleet decarbonisation; modal shift; skills; and 'freight blindness'.
- Lead officer: Suzanne Winkels (suzanne.winkels@englandseconomicheartland.com)