Investment in road improvements should be a priority for the new Government according to the Logistics Report 2015 – the Freight Transport Association’s (FTA’s) analysis of the ideas, news and views that shaped the transport and logistics industry in the last 12 months.

Launched at the Microlise Transport Conference in Coventry on Wednesday by FTA chief executive David Wells, the 2015 Logistics Report outlines the significant economic, business, political, safety and environment, skills and training issues that have affected the transport and logistics sector in the past year.

The highest perceived priorities included investment in road improvements, recognising the vital role of logistics in the economy and cutting fuel duty.

Wells said: “The new Government will have to make significant decisions - and quickly – over our infrastructure and transport policies.

"FTA’s message to Government is: ignore the needs of logistics at your peril. From the factory floor to the kitchen table, it is logistics that will deliver sustainable growth."

The Logistics Report is produced annually and explores the influences that businesses should take into account as they deliberate, plan and invest for the future.

In addition, the FTA document looks at the outlook for the global economy, and reported that at home, there is lower business confidence beyond the immediate planning horizon, as uncertainty over future economic policies and the domestic impact of the EU membership debate and worldwide political crises temper optimism.
 
Wells added: “At such a crossroads for our national finances and society, the FTA Logistics Report provides a timely and essential analysis of the short and long-term health of a major enabler of our economy and lifestyle – logistics.”