Positive first meeting of logistics firms
LOGISTICS firms have been brought together at a new forum set up to discuss issues affecting South Holland.
More than 35 representatives talked about bio-fuels, transport infrastructure, international truck stops, waste, pallets, energy, skills for the logistics industry and the proposed Spalding Rail Freight Interchange at the first meeting last week.
Nick Hay, managing director of Fowler Welch, said: “I was delighted to be asked to chair this first meeting.
“The number of businesses represented, and their scale, shows what an important part of South Holland’s history and future food logistics is.
“The enthusiasm and skills at the meeting show what a great opportunity we have to continue to flourish as an area to protect and enhance employment and career opportunities through collaboration.”
Although the forum has been instigated by South Holland District Council, the group is business-led and will meet quarterly with the chairmanship rotating for each meeting.
It is envisaged that the group will act as a collective voice in lobbying politicians and Government departments.
The guest speaker for the second meeting, planned for two to three months’ time, will be Dr Nick Cheffins, who will be talking about the merits of bio-gas as an additional form of fuel to haulage and logistics firms.
For information email economic development@sholland.gov.uk.
It is hoped a range of similar forums for sectors including engineering, manufacturing and green technology will be set up later in the year.
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Weather for Spalding
Wednesday 22 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 9 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 37 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
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Comments
There are 2 comments to this article
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douglasdickens
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 02:49 PMGlad to see biofuel was on the agenda. We are ideally placed for SHDC to own and run a biofuel plant as part of the reinventing of the district as a centre of excellence in the green led growth economy. In round figures biofuel use grew from 1% to 3% in 3 years upto 2010 and is an important factor in reducing the rise in operating costs of the Distribution chain. I hope that now big names are interested SHDC will drop the objections given when asked to provide biomass energy namely "we cannot trust the technology, and we only collect the biowaste on behalf of the County Council" and go ahead with a plant, owned on behalf of the people and profits used to benefit all of the people. I did ask to be invited but SHDC and the Chairman declined, so as the rail hub was on the agenda I asked Eddie Stobart and DB freight to attend to relate their experiences, The Rail Freight Group website gives upto date news on the rollout of railfreight into the green logistics network. I have asked SHDC to invite these to the next meeting if this was not done. At present their is a proposed railhub at Peterborough Stanground the cost of road transport to there of intermodal containers may be low enough to outweigh the handling costs of loading at a local rail hub and reloading at a national one, either Peterborough or possibly DRIFT. This is an easy sum for any Haulier. My own view is that a rail byepass from Donnington to Deeping with a freiht siding at Gosberton Cheal and a small road extension from the Surfleet roundabout that leads to the A16 is the best possible solution to the food logistics and Spalding's lorry traffic problems.
HollygoLula
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 12:09 PMLets hope they discussed an agreement for their drivers to NOT drive through the town centre, which is totally selfish and slows down the traffic for everybody else.
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