Freight just isn’t on department’s agenda

“Investing in our Transport Future – A Strategic Investment Framework for Land Transport” is the title of a major policy document just published by the Minister of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the reading of which for me ‘as a road freight operator, raises major questions.

The document speaks often of rail and even more often of cyclists. Freight on the other hand along with commercial vehicles are mentioned once each. As someone involved in the road freight industry for 40-plus years you would think I would no longer be surprised.

For example a road, co-funded by the Irish State, that travels from one part of the Republic to another, via Northern Ireland, is tolled by the UK Government. It charges £10 per day to Irish trucks. This is not discussed.