UKWA offers support to NIC survey.

UKWA – the United Kingdom Warehousing Association – has welcomed the recent announcement that Chancellor Hon Philip Hammond MP has instructed the next in-depth study to be undertaken by the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) on the future of freight.

UKWA CEO, Peter Ward, commented: “We are delighted that at last the importance of freight movements in the urban environment has been placed high on the agenda by the government in planning a sustainable future that meets the needs of rising populations with rapidly changing demands.

“UKWA has been working to highlight the challenges faced by the industry, particularly around urban logistics, and we stand ready to support the National Infrastructure Commission in every way possible.”

In 2015 the UKWA commissioned and published a report in conjunction with leading property consultant Savills, which highlighted a critical lack of real estate supply and appropriate development in the logistics sector. At that time Peter Ward warned: “Policy makers must move to legislate to allow for the growth of warehousing space or risk developing a critical pinch point for UK industry.”

In 2017, the association published ‘Feeding London 2030 – facing the logistical challenge’. The report, which found London’s supply chains are ‘at risk of failure,’ has been hailed by industry leaders as a valuable source of data for all stakeholders in the food & beverage and food service supply chains operating in London.

Peter Ward concludes: “UKWA is uniquely placed to work with the NIC to provide relevant resource, knowledge and market experience. In addition to independent surveys and intelligence directly from our membership, we are also able to offer expert input from the UKWA Advisory Boards, which bring together industry leaders and specialists to share knowledge, best practice and develop thought leadership on issues such as infrastructure and technology.”