Key Points
- Logistics UK has warned that slow progress on developing a national logistics network map is directly harming economic growth in the UK.
- The organisation highlights delays in mapping critical freight corridors and strategic sites as a major barrier to efficiency and expansion in the logistics sector.
- Government inaction on the map, first promised years ago, risks increased costs, congestion, and lost competitiveness for businesses reliant on supply chains.
- Logistics UK calls for urgent acceleration, citing examples of how the map could optimise routes, reduce emissions, and support post-Brexit trade.
- Industry leaders emphasise the need for data-driven planning amid rising demands from e-commerce and global trade pressures.
- Failure to deliver could exacerbate skills shortages and infrastructure bottlenecks already straining the sector.
Logistics UK, the leading trade association for the UK freight and logistics industry, has issued a stark warning that sluggish progress on a promised national logistics network map is actively undermining economic growth. In a recent statement, the organisation stressed that without this essential tool, businesses face mounting inefficiencies, higher costs, and missed opportunities in an increasingly competitive global market. The call comes amid broader concerns over supply chain resilience following Brexit and ongoing infrastructure challenges.
As reported by industry analysts covering Logistics UK’s position, the map—envisioned as a comprehensive digital resource identifying key freight corridors, strategic warehouses, and transport hubs—remains woefully underdeveloped despite initial government commitments dating back several years. Logistics UK Chief Executive Martin Howard stated that “the delay in delivering this critical infrastructure is not just frustrating; it is harming growth by preventing informed investment decisions and optimal route planning.” This sentiment echoes across the sector, where operators report daily struggles with congestion and regulatory uncertainty.
What is the logistics network map and why does it matter?
The logistics network map represents a government-backed initiative to create a unified, data-rich platform mapping the UK’s freight infrastructure. According to Logistics UK, it would integrate real-time data on roads, rails, ports, and airports to guide policy, investment, and operations. Martin Howard of Logistics UK elaborated that “without it, we are navigating blind, leading to duplicated efforts and inefficient resource allocation.”
As detailed in Logistics UK’s policy briefings, the map’s absence exacerbates issues like urban congestion and rural access gaps, particularly vital for just-in-time delivery models powering e-commerce giants. Industry experts note its potential to align with net-zero goals by highlighting low-emission routes, a point reiterated in their submissions to the Department for Transport.
Why is progress on the map so slow?
Delays stem from a combination of bureaucratic hurdles, funding shortfalls, and competing priorities within government, as per Logistics UK’s assessments. The organisation points to the initial 2021 roadmap promise under the National Infrastructure Strategy, which has seen minimal advancement by December 2025. “Years of procrastination have turned a vital tool into a forgotten promise,” Howard remarked, attributing setbacks to siloed departmental responsibilities.
Stakeholders, including haulage firms and port operators, have lobbied repeatedly, yet pilot projects remain stalled. Logistics UK data reveals that similar mapping efforts in Europe—such as the EU’s TEN-T network—have boosted efficiency by 15-20%, underscoring the UK’s lag.
How is slow progress harming economic growth?
The direct impact on growth manifests through elevated operational costs and stifled expansion, Logistics UK warns. Businesses cannot strategically site new warehouses or forecast capacity without reliable mapping, leading to £billions in annual losses from suboptimal logistics. “This inertia is choking our economy at a time when agile supply chains are key to competitiveness,” stated Howard.
Broader ripple effects include heightened vulnerability to disruptions like fuel shortages or labour strikes, amplifying inflation pressures. Regional economies, from Midlands manufacturing hubs to Scottish ports, suffer disproportionately without coordinated planning.
What specific examples illustrate the damage?
Logistics UK cites real-world cases, such as chronic M25 bottlenecks where unmapped freight flows compound delays for 30% of UK goods traffic. In the North, uncharted rural roads hinder last-mile deliveries, inflating costs for SMEs. “Operators are forced into guesswork, resulting in empty runs and excess emissions,” Howard explained.
Post-Brexit border frictions compound this, with unmapped customs corridors causing hold-ups at Dover and Felixstowe. One anonymous operator told Logistics UK researchers: “We’re losing contracts to continental rivals with superior network visibility.”
Who is responsible for accelerating the map’s development?
Primary responsibility lies with the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Logistics UK asserts. The organisation urges Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander to prioritise funding in the upcoming Spring Budget. “Ministers must act decisively; industry cannot shoulder this alone,” Howard demanded.
Cross-party MPs, via the Transport Select Committee, have echoed calls, grilling DfT officials on timelines in recent sessions.
What solutions does Logistics UK propose?
Logistics UK advocates a phased rollout: first, a beta map for major corridors by mid-2026, followed by full integration with GPS tech. They propose public-private partnerships, leveraging member data for accuracy. Howard outlined: “Collaborate with us now to unlock growth potential.”
Additional measures include mandatory reporting of freight data and incentives for green routes.
How does this fit into wider UK logistics challenges?
This issue intersects with skills shortages, driver deficits, and electric vehicle transitions plaguing the sector. Logistics UK’s annual report flags 100,000 vacancies, worsened by poor planning. “The map is the linchpin; without it, no strategy succeeds,” insiders note.
What have other stakeholders said?
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) aligns fully, with Executive Director Richard Burnett stating: “Logistics UK’s alarm is spot-on; delays cost members dearly daily.” Freight Transport Association voices similar frustrations.
Government responses remain measured; a DfT spokesperson noted “ongoing work with industry stakeholders,” but offered no firm dates.
What is the potential economic upside if delivered?
Logistics UK models project £10bn annual GDP uplift via 10% efficiency gains, plus 50,000 jobs. Enhanced trade with CPTPP nations would benefit, per their analysis.
Why now, in late 2025?
With President Trump’s reelection influencing transatlantic trade and domestic growth forecasts dipping to 1.2%, urgency peaks. Logistics UK timed the statement ahead of the Autumn Statement.