After its phenomenally successful debut as the largest show of its kind in 40 years, ITT Hub will be back in 2022 to continue to spearhead the future of transport—as the commercial vehicle market continues to revolutionise in the transition to net zero and we will be there to launch our Freight, Logistics and Gateways Strategy.

This year Transport for the South East are excited to not only be attending ITT Hub as an exhibitor but also formally launching our ambitious Freight, Logistics and Gateways Strategy.

Our Freight, Logistics and Gateways strategy highlights the vital importance of the freight sector to the region and the action needed to drive the sector forward. Hosting a large number of major international freight gateways that enable freight movements to and from the continent and to and from the whole of the UK, the South East is the UK’s principal gateway for the movement of goods and people and investment in the South East will benefit the whole of the UK.

The strategy approved by our Partnership Board on 24 January sets out the challenges that need to be tackled to enable the growth of the industry to keep up with the growing population and economy in a sustainable manner.

It recognises that in order to meet this demand the South East region needs holistic investment in strategic transport and logistics networks with greater awareness of the needs of the sector amongst local authorities, particularly in planning for its future requirements.

It also acknowledges the opportunity to harness new technology that would help meet the growing demand and reduce the negative impacts on road networks, residential areas and carbon emissions.

Councillor Keith Glazier, Chair of Transport for the South East – “Our strategy covers the movement of freight by road, rail, air and sea, providing a framework for strategic planning and policy development and not forgetting, the investment decisions needed to give private sector organisations the long-term stability they need to plan for sustainable growth.

“We haven’t just stopped with the strategy. As with our work on future mobility, this strategy comes with an action plan which sets out a series of strategic actions so that together with our stakeholders we can deliver a more sustainable freight and logistics network for the South East and the rest of the UK.”

If you aren’t already attending ITT Hub at Farnborough International on 11 & 12 May but would like to, you can find out more and register here: www.itthub.co.uk.

You will be able to find TfSE at stand number 1529.

The Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit has presented additional challenges when it comes to the movement of goods in, out and around the UK. Now is the perfect time to work together to secure the investment needed to support increased productivity and to grow the South East and UK economy and compete in the global marketplace.

Councillor Keith Glazier, Chair of Transport for the South East

Along with the future mobility strategy and our ongoing areas studies the freight, logistics and gateways strategy will feed into our strategic investment plan – the blueprint for future investment in strategic transport infrastructure in the South East for the next thirty years.

The final version of the strategy will be published on our Freight, Logistics and Gateways webpage soon, in the meantime you can access it via our Partnership Board papers.