News: “Government strategy needs to focus on port connectivity and planning”

Welcoming the launch of Government’s Industrial Strategy, British Ports Association Chief Executive Richard Ballantyne has pressed for a greater focus on port connectivity and fast tracking of planning to help ports develop and grow.

Commenting he said:
“We welcome the publication of today’s Industrial Strategy and support the strong focus on growing the economy, investing in transport and increasing trade.

The Strategy rightly recognizes that ports are hubs for employment and it includes a welcome suggestion that improving connections to ports can help to promote trade and create jobs.  

For our own sector we would also encourage measures that enable ports to develop and grow to be included in the Strategy. These include fast track planning and consenting, and protection from development conditions that we have suggested previously in our ‘Port Zones’ concept.”