Ensuring there is enough freight capacity to prevent disruption to the flow of critical goods, such as food and medical supplies.

Vital freight routes into, out of and around the UK will continue to run smoothly, thanks to a multi-million-pound government scheme to help ensure critical goods, such as food and medical supplies, can move freely.

The government has signed agreements with 6 operators to provide up to £35 million to help ensure there is enough freight capacity to prevent disruption to the flow of goods.

The decision has been made to protect 16 of the most important routes covering the Channel, the Short Strait, the North Sea and routes between Great Britain and Northern Ireland which were previously at risk of closure due to a drop in demand as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19). They will now be designated as Public Service Obligation routes for a period of up to 9 weeks.

Published 18 May 2020

From:

Department for Transport and The Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP

More information:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-invests-35-million-to-protect-critical-freight-routes?utm_source=4365df66-02f8-4677-9cce-ea5d3640c3ae&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate