To many, it might seem that efficient freight transport and

taking care of the environment are incompatible objectives.

After all, the traffic produced by freight transportation

damages the environment by polluting the air and creating noise.

As well as undermining the quality of life in cities it also

contributes to global warming.

However, freight transportation is necessary in order for us to

receive products into shops for us to buy. As a result, it is

necessary to find a way to have an efficient freight

transportation system and to look after the environment at the

same time.

Recent European legislation has made significant inroads into

reducing the environmental impact of freight transportation. For

instance efforts are being made to enhance the way in which

different modes of transport operate together. The idea behind

this is to combine modes of transport to minimise the effects on

the environment for any one shipment whilst also maximizing

economic efficiency.

Another example of how European governments are trying to make

freight transport more environmentally friendly is the new

policy introduced by the UK last year. Tony McNulty, the then

transport minister, announced a new policy that was designed to

reduce the impact of freight transportation on both congestion

and the environment. The particular objectives of the new

freight policy were to cut down on accidents, pollution and

congestion caused by the UK's freight industry.

Amongst the government's plans to reduce the negative impact of

the freight trade was the merger of water freight grants and the

sustainable road haulage budget from April 2005.

Between 2005 and 2007 a total amount of £50.4 million will be

available in rail freight grants. £2 million of this has been

assigned for new applications, whilst £19.2 million will be

available in road and water grants.

According to Tony McNulty,

"Current freight programmes have separate budgets and are

administered separately even though they all have the same

objective.

"By bringing these programmes together into one funding pot we

can focus on the overall aim of promoting cleaner, safer freight

transport that does not add to congestion.

"These new arrangements will provide better value for money for

the taxpayer, and will ensure that the additional funding

announced today to support the freight industry brings real

benefits for the environment and the economy."

About the author:

Freight

Shipping UK is a uk international freight forwarding

company.