Transport
Transport is part of our everyday life it encompasses everything and impacts on everyone. It has a fundamental role is helping shape our region's economy.
Transport is a considerable concern for every business urban or rural, regardless of their sector, or size. The reliance on transport is more acute for smaller businesses; they rely on the transport network for customers, staff, deliveries, collections, and ancillary services. They have the added burden of additional costs, which due to their size have difficulty in absorbing, including high fuel costs, poor infrastructure and road congestion causing delays and loss of man hours.
Chris Glen, FSB Yorkshire & Humber transport spokesman
Regional Facts:
A number of surveys have been carried out in the region highlighting businesses dissatisfaction with the current transport network. The main areas of concern include:
- Lack of investment in the region's transport infrastructure. This has stifled the region's transport links with the rest of the country and affected the region's economy.
- Dissatisfaction at the region's share of the Regional Funding Allocation – the third lowest in the country.
- Increasing levels of traffic flow and subsequent increased road congestion. (Over 50% of businesses in the region regard congestion as a significant problem).
- Loss of income due to the region's poor transport infrastructure.
The region is floundering due to a lack of an integrated transport system. With 80% of travel taken by car (90% of FSB members consider vehicle transport crucial or important to their business) any system must address and integrate these high proportions of car usage.
In September 2008 a publication entitled "Transporting our Infrastructure" was produced by the Yorkshire and Humber Policy Unit of the Federation of Small Businesses. The publication highlights the issues raised above and gives further information on the region's rail, freight, and air transport.
What can we do to tackle Transport issues:
- At meetings with transport bodies and Local Authorities, we can lobby for:
- The expansion of the current car share lane schemes
- Further promotion of car sharing
- Making better use of the region's bus lanes, particularly during off peak, weekends and holidays.
- Ensure the needs of the business community are included in discussions regarding transport funding and road infrastructure.
- Encourage better use of the region's rail and waterway systems thus relieving the region's overcrowded roads.
- Encourage local sourcing of goods to reduce the overall length of load haul (in line with the FSB's Keep Trade Local Campaign.
- If you have a transport issue that you would like highlighting please email and let us have the details.
Useful Regional Links:
The Regional Development Agency Yorkshire Forward:
Their website provides a wealth of information on various issues.
Local Government Yorkshire and Humber:
The regional website which will signpost you to the various local authorities throughout the region
The Passenger Transport Executives for West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire