The Commons Transport Committee has issued an important report on improving access to ports. Describing ports as "national assets" essential to the economic wellbeing of the country, the MPs called for priority to be given to removing constraints to port development caused by inadequate transport infrastructure. Other recommendations are that the Government should help ports navigate the complex arrangements for getting local transport improvements off the ground; that significant improvements to access to ports should be publicly funded; and that the Government should devise a more effective successor to the Waterborne Freight Grant to stimulate coastal shipping.

Commenting on the report Richard Bird, UKMPG's Executive Director, said

"We welcome this excellent report. The Transport Committee have recognised the vital role that ports play in the UK economy and have made some practical suggestions about how transport connections to ports can be improved. We are already working in partnership with Government to ensure there is greater awareness of the strategic importance of ports. We trust that the Government will now act quickly to put the Committee's proposals into effect."