Further Information

Local Transport Plan Core Team.
Planning and Transportation.
Civic Centre
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE1 8PD

Tel: 0191 277 8971

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Image of the cover of the 2006-20011 Local Transport Plan Image of the cover of the 2006-20011 Delivery Report

Sustainable Distribution

The Tyne and Wear Freight Partnership was established in 2001, and expanded in 2004, it has been successful in bringing together a number of organisations in order to encourage sustainable distribution within Tyne and Wear. These include:A Flat LoaderFreight at the Tyne Tunnel

  • The five local authorities in Tyne and Wear;
  • North Yorkshire County Council;
  • The Highways Agency;
  • Government Office North East;
  • The North East Transport Activists Round Table (NECTAR);
  • The Freight Transport Association;
  • The Road Haulage Association;
  • The Institute of Logistics and Transport (ILT)
  • Birtley Truck Stop;
  • Newcastle International Airport;
  • Port of Tyne Distribution/LogisticsAn HGV lorryA Special Waste Vehicle

 

 

A wide variety of operators are also represented at the partnerships' quarterly meetings, with an e-mail newsletter also being sent to over 100 interested parties. This provides an opportunity for feedback, and a way to disseminate the actions of the partnership to a wider audience.

Just some of the current outputs of the partnership have been:

  • An advisory map of recommended routes for freight across Tyne and Wear;
  • Bespoke routing maps for high yield freight destinations;
  • A review of signage and driver information across Tyne and Wear resulting in changes to both local authority and Highways Agency signs;

For further information on the current and future actions of the partnership visit the Freight Partnership website.

Tyne and Wear Freight Partnership

For more information contact Mark Wilson on 0191 277 8973.

Railfreight

Railfreight business in the region is growing strongly, complementing a national increase in freight movement by rail of 60% since 1997.  At the Port of Tyne in 2006, 1.6m tonnes of coal arrived  for onward conveyance by rail to power stations. In 2007, this is anticipated to rise to 2.5m tonnes.

Network Rail plan to re-open East Boldon Curve in 2008/09 to facilitate the increasing volumes of rail traffic using the Port of Tyne, enabling use of the Durham Coast line rather than the congested East Coast Main Line.  TyneYard

At the Port of Blyth, the new rail siding to the Battleship Wharf terminal (part of a £7.8m investment programme) will see one million tonnes of Russian coal imported through Blyth in the coming year.

Plan Partners will continue to support railfreight companies in their efforts to carry more freight by rail.  In 2004-05, the railfreight industry nationally moved the equivalent of over 7 million lorry journeys and saved 1.43 billion lorry kilometres, delivering significant reductions in pollution and congestion. Photograph of a freight train From April 2007, grants will be available under the government's Sustainable Distribution Fund for the transfer of freight to rail where this would have benefits for the environment, safety and congestion.

The Department for Transport website has further information about railfreight and funding available.

The Rail Freight Group represents railfreight customers, providers and train operators