EU - Transport Policy

Written evidence from Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in the UK (EU 06)

1. The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in the UK ("the Institute") is a professional institution embracing all transport modes whose members are engaged in the provision of transport services for both passengers and freight, the management of logistics and the supply chain, transport planning, government and administration. We have no political affiliations and do not support any particular vested interests. Our principal concerns are that transport policies and procedures should be effective and efficient and based, as far as possible, on objective analysis of the issues and practical experience and that good practice should be widely disseminated and adopted.

2. The following is a brief response to the Transport Committee request for views on EU transport issues.

3. In 2010 the Commission reorganised the transport policy and project administration into DG MOVE and DG ENERGY to refocus transport towards universal mobility for passengers and freight throughout the member states with an underlying emphasis on environmental sustainability and the social agenda. Citizen empowerment, including passenger rights and pan-community freight integrity and transportation safety are key themes. DG MOVE (a German acronym for mobility and transport) defines policy whilst TEN-T EA (a new administrative leadership group) has been retained to turn policy into action. EA in turn administers the programmes of the EU Technology Platforms: ERRAC (European Rail Research Advisory Council), EIRAC (European Intermodal Research Advisory Council), Waterborne for waterborne transport, and ERTRAC for roads.

4. There are currently particular opportunities for UK engagement across the EU transport agenda with UK nationals in senior positions who actively welcome proactive UK participation: Kier Fitch is Deputy Head of Cabinet for EU Commission Vice President for Transport Siim Kallas, instrumental in developing the Transport White Paper; Brian Simpson MEP is Chair of the Transport Committee for the European Parliament with Jacqueline Foster MEP Conservative spokesperson. CILT(UK) is actively engaging with DG MOVE through its regular contact with DfT and its membership of the European Logistics Association. Prof. Andrew McNaughton is the Chairman of ERRAC.

5. Whilst subsidiarity is generally a sound principle to control affordability and harmonisation within the national interest it is clear that many key EU transport projects are impeded by real politic (social and competition issues) within the member states. Examples from which the UK will benefit which urgently require resolution include arcane cross-border rail freight working practices which are hold back intermodal interoperability; cross-border access controls-the E-Freight program for seamless freight movement and tracking across the Community is held up by local Customs practices, inhibiting intermodal development and modal change away from road transport: congestion management across the Community road network which is high on the energy, road safety and social agendas including professional drivers’ welfare; load tracking and security (the control of transport professionals’ working hours and the provision of secure truck parking); access and cabotage monitoring (active vehicle identification linked with vignettes); and integrated air traffic control.

6. Engagement is a two-way process: whilst working towards increased yet sustainable, safe and secure mobility for citizens and their freight across the Community to generate the habit change necessary to approach the EU and UK climate change targets there needs to be coordinated implementation programs at regional and local levels through the LEPs; there are likely to be lessons available from EU regions. Similarly for UK business, there may be examples of regulatory practices in member states that are seen to comply with the spirit of EU safety and social agendas but do not inhibit business flexibility and add to costs in a cash-strapped competitive environment by adding unnecessary features and functions.

January 2011