www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Freight
Index of Content
- Freight Quality Partnership for Wiltshire
- Freight Strategy Policies
- FQP Local Working Groups
- Freight Routes in Wiltshire
- Developments in the Freight Industry
- Further Information
- Contact Details
Advances in road haulage and distribution methods have provided us with unparalleled consumer choices, 24-hour shop opening hours and just-in-time deliveries. In fact, efficient and flexible freight distribution services have become such an integral part of modern living that it is difficult to imagine life without them.
However, the way in which freight distribution supports economic vibrancy and growth cannot be at the expense of the environment or local communities. The County Council recognises this and takes seriously the need to achieve a more sustainable distribution of freight that balances the needs of the economy, the environment and society.
Freight Quality Partnership for Wiltshire
To help achieve this objective, the County Council has set-up the Freight Quality Partnership (FQP) for Wiltshire with the support of the Freight Transport Association and Road Haulage Association. Formed in November 2000, the FQP provides a forum for representatives from industry, freight operators, local government and other interested parties to discuss freight related matters and to promote solutions which reconcile the need for access with local environmental and social concerns.
Freight Quality Partnership Wiltshire
Through regular meetings, the FQP has progressed Wiltshire’s Local Transport Plan (LTP) Freight Strategy and Freight Action Plan. This latter document identifies the future actions that are necessary to implement each of the ten Freight Strategy policies (see below).
Further details of Wiltshire’s FQP, Freight Strategy and Freight Action Plan are included in the Local Transport Plan and Annual Progress Reports.
Freight Strategy Policies
The Freight Strategy includes the following freight policies:
Policy FT1: Consult with industrialists and distributors on how they can move traffic by rail. Encourage and support maximum use of the rail network for the movement of freight, with particular reference to working towards a uniform structure/loading gauge.
Policy FT2: Maintain a Quality Freight Partnership Strategy involving all interested organisations and considering both road and rail operations.
Policy FT3: Support the South Marston and Westbury intermodal freight terminals.
Policy FT4: Support the development and use of innovative low-cost freight terminals.
Policy FT5: Consider the recycling of waste using rail as a means of distribution.
Policy FT6: Develop a network of strategic lorry routes for Wiltshire to cater for long-distance lorry movements.
Policy FT7: Develop a supporting network of local lorry routes to meet the local freight needs of the county and encourage Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) to use those roads where a minimum of environmental damage will occur.
Policy FT8: After the introduction of the Strategic and Local Lorry Routes, and the evaluation of their effects, consideration should be given to the introduction of a targeted programme of traffic management measures.
Policy FT9: Encourage and support the development of freight driver facilities and overnight lorry parking, particularly at the proposed Westbury Freight Terminal.
Policy FT10: Give a high priority to rail access issues and the associated road access when formulating and implementing development control policies.
FQP Local Working Groups
The Wiltshire FQP is also active in seeking to find solutions to the problems caused by HGVs in local communities in Wiltshire. Working groups have been established to address HGV routing issues in the Cricklade/Ashton Keynes/Leigh, Downton/Redlynch and Whiteparish areas, and are composed of representatives from a wide spectrum of organisations, including the local Parish Councils.
Freight Routes in Wiltshire
A key component of the Freight Strategy is the establishment of a two-tier system of lorry routes, comprising a network of strategic routes and a supporting network of local lorry routes.
Work is currently being undertaken to implement the Freight Strategy and set up the strategic HGV route network. Once this strategic network is established, attention will turn to reviewing and developing the local lorry route network. The aim is to sign long distance lorries on to Strategic Lorry Routes; the M4 motorway, A303, A34 and A350. A supporting network of Local Lorry Routes is to be signed to meet local freight needs and to encourage lorries to use those roads where a minimum of environmental damage will occur.
In terms of dealing with local HGV issues, the County Council typically follows a phased approach which first seeks to establish the significance and nature of the problem. If warranted, discussions are then undertaken with haulage operator and any appropriate signing changes are implemented. Only after these actions have been carried out would we explore the use of traffic management measures.
As an aid to the implementation of the lorry route networks, a Freight Routes in Wiltshire leaflet has been produced.
Freight Route Network Map (pdf 164Kb) 
This informs HGV drivers of the most appropriate routes to use in Wiltshire. By using these routes, drivers will reduce the stress of driving by avoiding unsuitable roads and minimise their impact on the environment and local residents while still meeting the economic needs of the County.
The leaflet also includes a HGV Code of Conduct (pdf 726Kb) that operators and drivers are encouraged to adopt and details of the facilities at service areas that are suitable for HGVs.
Over 10,000 leaflets showing the Wiltshire HGV Route Network have been issued to lorry operators to inform drivers of the most appropriate routes in the County.
Developments in the Freight Industry
In March 2005, the UK introduced the European Union's Working Time Road Transport Directive. This, amongst others things, restricts mobile workers, such as lorry drivers, to an average 48 hour week and may have implications for lorry routing decisions and rest and parking facilities.
The Government planned to set up a distance based Lorry Road User Charge (LRUC) by 2007/08 to ensure that hauliers pay towards the costs they impose. All lorries, regardless of nationality, using UK roads would have been charged by means of satellite-based technologies (a different charge rate for different times of the day and for motorways was also being considered). However, the Government announced in July 2005 that their plans for a LRUC would now be taken forward as part of wider proposals for national road pricing.
The South West Regional Assembly has included a 'Regional Freight Map' as part of its Draft Regional Spatial Strategy. In addition to identifying national, regional and county freight routes throughout the South West, the development of the map will enable a consistent approach to be taken by authorities accross the region. The Wiltshire HGV Route Network will be revised in light of the outcomes of this work.
Further Information
If you would like copies of the ‘Freight Routes in Wiltshire’ leaflet or further information on Wiltshire’s Freight Strategy, please contact us using the details below.
Contact Details
By Post
Transportation and Development Group
Wiltshire County Council
Environmental Services Department
County Hall
Bythesea Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JD
By Email
transportplanning@wiltshire.gov.uk
By Telephone
01225 713458
By Fax
01225 713207
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
