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Brexit and transport – tell government what you think
[ April 27, 2018 // Chris ]BIFA has welcomed the launch on 26 April of the UK Parliamentary Transport Committee inquiry into the effects of Brexit on UK freight operations and the association’s director general, Robert Keen, is urging its members to get involved.
The inquiry will not be considering border and customs arrangements, trade deals or tariffs, as these fall outside the Committee’s remit, but will look at the steps required to prepare for the challenges, particularly investment in transport infrastructure and changes to transport policy and regulation.
As well as the scale and nature of the challenges and opportunities Brexit presents to UK freight companies and their customers, the enquiry will also consider the adequacy of steps being taken by freight companies, their representative bodies, their customers and the Government.
It will also investigate mode and or sector-specific requirements for additional Government funding, or changes to Government funding plans, particularly in relation to transport infrastructure, to support the needs of freight.
Also under the microscope are arrangements for the licensing, regulation and training of operators and workers (including the adequacy of measures set out in the recent Haulage Permits and Trailer Registration Bill).
Keen comments: “As a body that represents the companies that are responsible for the logistics that underpins the UK’s visible trade, BIFA has been very vocal on the many issues arising from Brexit that affect the work of our members.
“The Transport Committee inquiry is offering freight operators and their diverse customers, the opportunity to specify their needs in regards to transport infrastructure.
“Though the terms of reference are wide, BIFA will be forthcoming about the issues involved and I hope that our members follow suit.”
He added: “I share the opinion of the chair of the Committee, Lilian Greenwood MP, who said at the launch of the inquiry that whilst we’ve heard a lot about customs arrangements, border controls, tariffs and trade deals, we haven’t heard enough about transport infrastructure, policy and regulation implications affecting freight operators and their customers.”
Views should be submitted by 8 June at: https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/transport-committee/inquiries/parliament-2017/freight-and-brexit-17-19/