Announced last week, the Birmingham Mobility Action Plan (BMAP) could see a radical shift in how transport works across Birmingham including a Low Emission Zone and green freight initiatives. The move is intended to improve road safety, reduce carbon emissions and cut congestion.

In response, Sally Gilson, FTA policy manager – Midlands, said: ‘Encouraging modal shift from private cars to public transport is a step in the right direction however I am concerned that plans for low emission zones would cause substantial costs for industry. With regards to any possible city road charging, freight is an essential road movement and should therefore be exempt.’

FTA added that it would ‘like to see clarity’ with regards to the Green Freight Initiatives and City Core Low Emission Zone.

Gilson added: ‘The schemes within London have come at substantial cost to businesses and any uptake of similar schemes in Birmingham would have a significant cost implication’.

Encouraging a change in mode switch to reduce the number of private car journeys on the road network is a positive step to helping ease the congestion issues however FTA cautions that this could be at the detriment to road share for freight movements, and any reduction in road share could hinder congestion and increase pollution.

As a whole FTA welcomes the focus on transport issues and congestion included within Birmingham City Centre with the launch of the Birmingham Mobility Action Plan and has said that it is pleased that the BMAP states it will ensure that measures to improve efficiency and movement of people across the city also has a positive impact on the movement of goods.