The Actions to be Under-taken by the Partnership in 2010/11 are as follows:

Facilitation of Quarterly Partnership Meetings
We propose to meet each quarter keeping up the high level of interest by inviting a guest speaker to give a presentation on a topical subject. The fees include the preparation of the agenda, power point presentations, and communication prior to the meeting. Following the meeting accurate minutes will be written and circulated to the attendees.

Production and Circulation of Newsletter
The newsletter is produced each quarter to include the progress made on each task. This will ensure the 300+ organisations on the wider circulation list are kept up to date with the progress of the Partnership.

The Tyne Tunnel Concession Management (TT2) for the New Tyne Crossing has asked the Partnership to sit on a bi monthly meeting organised for the Strategic Partnering forum. Occasionally we have been requested to send out a news flash advising new routing information relating to works being carried out in the area of the Tyne Tunnel, on behalf of TT2, South Tyneside Council and North Tyneside Council – these will be accommodated within the proposed budget.

Website Maintenance and Review and Development
At the end of Year 5 (March 2010) a new design scheme was submitted and accepted for a full website rebrand and update.  The new design will incorporate new web pages (including information provided on CPC accredited driver trainers and the freight exchange trial), new logos and colour schemes.

The website will be updated quarterly to include meeting minutes, newsletter, news updates, reports and information on progress of tasks such as mapping. The website will also be reviewed periodically to ensure the contact details remain up to date.

The website will be developed to include two non-UK languages in relevant sections, this is especially important to encourage foreign drivers to use the TIPs. It is important to note that not all the information on the site will be translated.

Development and Update of Individual Destination Maps
There are 20 individual destination maps currently available complete with company names and locations. It is important that the information on these maps remains up to date, so the sites will be visited annually to review the detail to ensure that they correct.

We propose to enhance the suite of individual destination maps to include a further 5 maps (making 25 in total). Consultation will take place with the local authorities to ascertain which locations would be the most appropriate to map. These could include as a start:

  • Derwenthaugh Industrial Estate
  • Leechmere Industrial Estate
  • Newburn Riverside Park
  • Simonside/Bede Industrial Estates
  • Westways industrial Estate

In Year 5 a considerable amount of effort and resource has been put into disseminating the maps to the organisations included in the detail of the maps.  We therefore propose to mail out a hard copy of the respective maps to all of the companies based at the 5 locations for which the destination maps have been produced.  The maps will be distributed with a covering letter, explaining the purpose of the Partnership and the individual maps. 

Freight on Rail research and Multi-modal site/map updates, multi modal terminals will be shown where applicable to maintain a focus on facilitating sustainable transport methods.

Development of Interactive Maps
In Year 6 we propose to update another 5 individual maps that are currently available. The current maps from which the new interactive maps can be selected are:

  • The Bridges
  • East Gateshead
  • MetroCentre
  • Port of Sunderland
  • Rainton Bridge
  • Silverlink
  • Team Valley South
  • Washington Pattinson
  • Eldon Square and
  • Northumberland Street

The interactive maps will include the detail relevant to the location including bollards, delivery time restrictions and advised route to the company location.

Maintain, Monitor and Improve Truck information Points (TIP)
During Year 6, we will continue to maintain and monitor the information point.  This includes monitoring the usage of different pages and reporting results at the Partnership meetings.  As part of this, we would continue to regularly replenish hard copies of the tailored destination maps, which are provided in the stand (located next to the TIP). 

The most popular pages viewed are Traffic Information and the Lorry Parking. We propose to review the information available on the TIP and focus on the pages that are most popular.

Freight Exchange Programme Monitoring
It is proposed in to extend the trial period and continue to monitor the companies in the trial providing regular updates on the website.  It is also proposed as part of this trial that we conduct further research into the possibility and usefulness of a Tyne and Wear focussed freight exchange.

The task will include the resource to produce a report of the findings. This will be followed with a press release to launch the Freight Exchange page on the website.

We propose to add a page on Freight Exchanges to the website to include the available suppliers and a short summary on the conclusions of the report.

Task 8 – National Freight Mapping
In Year 6 we propose to ensure maximum use of the information we have collected on weight, height and width restrictions.  This relates to the development of potential use for the satellite navigation information units, as companies historically have been looking to utilise this information in the development of their systems. 

We also propose that the Partnership develop further links with other Authorities to progress the idea of a National Freight Map. To help achieve this agreement will need to be reached by interested local authorities on how to proceed with a standard of digitised mapping. A large amount of the resource will be used to gauge the interest from the remaining local authorities yet to buy into the idea and arranging a forum in which to discuss this issue further. In Year 5 a small number of authorities have expressed an interest; Year 6 is designed to develop these actions further.

Task 9 – Promoting the Partnership
It is proposed that the previous work undertaken Partnership continues during Year 6, including an updated version of the leaflet, two award applications and press releases.  The wider communication contact list has steadily increased therefore we propose to print 1000 copies of the leaflet to be distributed to the wider circulation list, including contacts outside Tyne and Wear, which will assist in promoting best practice across the UK.

The Partnership will maintain links with the North East Chamber of Commerce to promote the work undertaken.

The annual leaflet will be translated into two of the most common languages found through the port study. The leaflet will be distributed through the existing circulation list of the partners but additionally through the CIVITAS CATAILIST partners.

The Tyne and Wear Promotional DVD is to be upgraded to include the two most common languages. The media system to be adopted for this is to use subtitles. Baker Media who initially produced the DVD are aware of the progress required and have formulated some indicative costs.

Two award applications will be submitted to organisations relating to the work of the Partnership.  We would also seek to engage with other local authorities, particularly neighbouring authorities in the North East to spread best practice.

Scottish hauliers deliver to the Tyne and Wear areas on a regular basis. The Partnership is to engage the Scottish Border authorities to share best practice and to promote the existence of the Tyne and Wear website and resources.

European Freight Conference
The 2008 Regional Freight Conference proved to be very successful with delegates stating they look forward to the next conference.

It is proposed In Year 6 to organise a European Freight Conference. The delegates will be invited from the other authorities, other organisations, road and rail operators, councillors, MP’s and CIVITAS partners. A European transport dignitary will be invited to give the keynote speech opening the conference. Partner members will be invited to give a talk on their knowledge and sharing best practice in urban goods Transport
The themes of the conference will be designed to engage with the future of both road and rail, but also taking into consideration the Trans European drivers and operators to promote the ‘Delivering of Safe, Sustainable and Efficient Freight for Tyne and Wear’.

Port Study
A study will be undertaken at the major regional ports which operate ferry services (including the Port of Tyne and Teesport) of the incoming and outgoing vehicles from the European mainland to determine driver & vehicle nationalities. It is important to review both vehicle and driver nationality as a non-UK vehicle may be registered in one country but the driver could be from a different country.

The aim of the study is to identify the most common nationalities of those coming into the region to enable targeted translation of the website, DVD and annual leaflets.  This study will also potentially provide information to help further efforts of others in this area.

The study will take place over a two week period, one week in each port to ensure a fair assessment of the mix of nationalities.

As part the study we will also attempt to ascertain and measure the level of empty running back to place of origin to assess potential usage levels of pan- European freight exchanges.

Site Visits
The Partnership will attend and present at European events, workshops & seminars. The team will consist of two representatives from the Partnership to exchange best practice and ideas between CIVITAS partners. To measure and record the attendance at these events, a summary list of events will be developed and monitored.   The details will include:

  • Presentation materials
  • List of attendees
  • List of contacts made
  • Actions and opportunities arising

These visits will facilitate increased sharing of information including best practice. Emphasis will be placed on raising awareness and understanding of the issues concerning both UK and other European freight partnerships and freight hauliers. The outcome would be a better and shared understanding of issues particularly relating to pan-European freight traffic with the view to identifying potential solutions and next steps.

Freight on Rail research
This task will be a continuation of the research carried out in the rail freight task Year 5. We will seek to bring together decision makers from Road and Rail operators, Network Rail, local MPs and Councillors, ITA and other organisations in the North East.  The aim of the task is to promote modal shift to rail and show how best to achieve the desired outcomes.

Signage Study
We propose to carry out a study of Sunderland City Council City Centre Signage. The study will incorporate not only freight signage but also Tourism and the Advanced Directional signage. Meetings with the authority will determine the scale of the project and agree the information required on the signs to satisfy all disciplines.

We also propose to carry out a further study in the North Tyneside Council area to advise the freight traffic to take the most appropriate route. Discussions with the authority officers in Year 5 have identified further work that they feel would enhance the current agreed signage design scheme. The proposed signage design scheme would benefit the area advising traffic to follow an appropriate route from all directions outside the area into the Silverlink.

Sign Design
The sign design scheme for both studies will be carried out with the support of the local authorities. Regular meetings will be held to discuss the progress. This will allow amendments to be made during the development of the schemes.  The proposal is to produce individual plans for each sign complete with specifications.

Regional Freight Map Update
Version 2 of the freight map has been available since February 2008. We have previously proposed that the map be reviewed bi-annually. This year the map will be reviewed to identify any changes around the conurbation of Tyne and Wear. In consultation with all the local authorities further key destinations are to be identified increasing the number from 70 to 80+.

The instructions on how to use the map will be translated into two of the most common languages recommended from the study.
 
To further encourage the push for operators to use multimodal forms of transports the locations of the various multimodal facilities based in the Tyne and Wear area will be included on the revised map.

Highways’ Restrictions and Abnormal Loads
Year 5 saw the development of the highways’ restriction map into an easy to use interactive map. It is proposed in Year 6 to develop the map further to include appropriate routing guides. A consultation will take place to identify any issues that the highway engineers have and these issues will be addressed in Year 6.

We need to be aware that a small amount of review should take place and that at this present time it will be the responsibility of the Newcastle City Council IT department to update any information on the map to maintain its accuracy. Any amendments to the prohibitions will be sent centrally to the IT department for updating. These updates of the prohibition will be recorded on the database. It is assumed that there will be minimal manipulation of data but does require a small budget.

Lorry Parking
The Partnership has actively sought opportunities for lorry parking throughout its history. Armed with new guidance the Partnership will renew its efforts to seek other appropriate sites to facilitate a parking area for HGVs. Nissan is to start production of a new cars ‘The Juke’ and an electronic battery powered car, therefore the supply chain will be increased resulting in additional volumes of HGV traffic. These need to be securely parked away from Nissan to minimise vandalism and increase the safety of the driver.

Fleet Recognition Scheme
A core aim of the partnership is to promote the use of sustainable and efficient transportation methods, with the ultimate aim of reducing transport related emissions. With this aim in mind it is proposed that for Year 6 as part of the Be Air Aware Campaign a fleet recognition scheme is piloted.  The Eco stars recognition scheme currently ongoing in South Yorkshire as part of the Care 4 air programme will form the template for this and the contractors that manage the scheme (TTR) will be managed centrally by AECOM to ensure smooth delivery and appropriateness of the scheme to the Tyne and wear region and operators.  The scheme may need to be adapted to ensure the aims of the LTP team are met.

In order to relieve administrative burden from the LTP team (especially with regard to the LTP3) it is proposed that AECOM manages all aspects of the TTR contract (including invoicing and payment).  TTR in essence will act as subcontractor for AECOM.

It will be the aim of the scheme to engage with transport operators and  present them (freight operators initially) with the opportunity to receive some form of recognition for showcasing and detailing their current fleet’s efficiency, fuel saving devices and fuel saving methods implemented, and for their environmental performance and attitude.  The Scheme will also provide further recognition for those who commit to future fuel saving measures.  The scheme will be free and will also provide guidance and best practice advice to those participating. 

It is expected that this recognition will act as an incentive for operators to implement further efficiency measures and will also encourage those operators that currently do nothing to commit to future interventions.  An associated benefit of the task will be the capture of detailed information on operators in the area and also the provision of best practice ideas.  It is also hoped that benefits from this scheme will be both tangible and quantifiable to help further promote the success of the partnership.

The majority of the task proposed for year 6 will be to develop this initial concept together with the mechanics of the scheme, whilst developing an understanding of the common pitfalls and risks associated with a scheme of this nature.  Once agreed we will oversee and manage a Pilot of the scheme with a select few operators.

Task 20 – Knowledge network and best practice sharing forum
Engaging transport operators is a key theme of Year 6 of the partnership action plan.  Regional events, quarterly meetings are all used to help showcase and promote the good work of the partnership and act as forums for ideas for the future direction of the partnership.  The partnership is also cited as being the benchmark for other FQPs so can provide advice on best practice for other interested partnerships and local authorities.  The partnership also has a wealth of knowledge on freight related issues and could provide useful everyday advice to operators in the Tyne and Wear region. 

Bearing this in mind it is proposed for Year 6 that a knowledge network and best practice sharing forum is created for the Tyne and Wear website.  Advice can be provided to operators and local authorities alike and best practice could be shared amongst all website users.

Before gaining access to the free forum to post questions or advice (on the forum) the users will be required to register and provide some simple company details and accept the terms and conditions of the site so that the website can be monitored and contact details used for marketing purposes from time to time.  The forum will need to moderated on a daily basis to ensure content is appropriate.  The cost of this has been included in the budget for this task.

As well as promoting best practice and providing useful information regarding sustainable transport methods, the forum will provide more company details for the Tyne and Wear partnership to use and the forum will also provide a fertile environment for ideas for the future direction of the partnership.  Relationships between web site users could also be developed which in turn could provide further relevance to the freight exchange trial and also provide a forum in which members of the fleet recognition scheme could contact one another for advice and tips.

Task 21 – Alternative fuel refuelling points Study and Map
Reducing emissions and promoting sustainable forms of transport are core aims of the partnership.  One of the known barriers to take-up of alternative fuelled vehicles is the lack of refuelling points available to make them feasible.  It is the intention of this task to provide information of alternative fuel refuelling points to enable operators both based in the Tyne and Wear area and also for those delivering into the area to make informed decisions as to the viability of alternative fuelled vehicle use. 

The map will be a stand-alone application that will accessible directly on the website. The alternative fuels showcased will be:

  • LPG
  • Bio-diesel
  • Bio Ethanol
  • Electric