Freight

Relatively rich developed countries like Wales manufacture, consume, import and export a growing quantity of essential and non-essential products.

Rising freight traffic is caused by:

• increasing consumption
• the longer distances products are being transported
• more frequent deliveries of products ordered at short notice (known as 'just-in-time' delivery).

A high proportion of freight is currently moved by road. This causes many problems including:

• demand for more roads
• damage to roads and bridges
• health damaging air pollution
• noise pollution and traffic congestion
• amenity loss
• increased energy use.

Road freight, like road traffic, does not fully pay the wider costs it imposes on society and the environment.

Friends of the Earth Cymru supports policies to encourage a shift of road freight to rail and sea.

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