Transport for Greater Manchester’s (TfGM) new freight and logistics forum will go live next month, with a city centre launch event taking place on 16 September at MacDonald Hotel.
The forum will act as a collaborative platform for the logistics industry and the public sector to identify new opportunities for efficiency and share best practice on safe and sustainable freight movements.
Its agenda is to be set by industry, with an introductory meeting held earlier this year helping to identify key freight sector challenges to address.
Helen Smith, head of logistics and environment at TfGM, said: “Our aim in Greater Manchester is to create a world class transport network that supports sustainable economic growth and access to opportunity. We recognise the invaluable contribution that the freight and logistics industry can make in achieving this vision."
She added that the forum will enable freight transport to fulfill its potential for driving economic growth, whilst ensuring that this growth is "environmentally and socially sustainable”.
The launch event will feature a range of speakers in the morning, setting out how they see the future of freight and logistics in the region, including: a keynote speech by the mayor of Greater Manchester, Tony Lloyd; a session on opportunities for growth within the Northern Powerhouse and how freight fits into the wider Transport for the North strategy; and operator DHL Supply Chain speaking about Manchester Airport.
This will be followed by a series of workshops in the afternoon exploring themes such as consolidation, alternative fuels, retiming deliveries and modal shift.
A panel discussion about key logistical issues across the region will round off the day.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the forum, can email Freight@tfgm.com
- If you are interested in urban freight, why not register today for this year's Freight in the City Expo on 2 November at London's Alexandra Palace - a free-to-attend, one-day event dedicated to sustainable urban freight.
