5.6.1 Symptoms of the start of the recession were evident in the movements of freight in and out of the region between 2007 and 2008. Road freight in particular reduced, its share of tonne-kms falling from 58% to 52%, its smallest share since this indicator was first calculated in 2003. Rail carryings also reduced, by 6%, but increased their share from 9% to 10%; ocean shipping fell by 3.3%, but increased its share from 29% to 33% between 2007 and 2008. Coastal shipping and air freight showed absolute increases in 2008 over 2007, air freight nearly doubling its mode share as a result. As the recession has taken hold of the economy the level in freight travel across different modes has
reduced further.
Table 5.6.1 Percentage of freight transported by mode in the South West
|
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
| Road |
64% |
62% |
62% |
58% |
52% |
| Rail |
7% |
7% |
8% |
9% |
10% |
| Coastal shipping |
3% |
4% |
3% |
4% |
4% |
| Seagoing ships |
25% |
26% |
28% |
29% |
33% |
| Air |
0.10% |
0.12% |
0.11% |
0.01% |
0.02% |
| Pipeline |
0.48% |
0.48% |
0.44% |
0.50% |
0.50% |
| Total (million tonne km) |
N/A |
20,464 |
21,165 |
17,996 |
15,422 |
| Source: SW Freight Monitor 2008, Frank Cashmore |
Figure 5.6.1 indicates that the long-term trend for total road freight is increasing, which follows the general trend for the UK although the South West has experienced a lower increase than other regions, and in recent years (2007 - 2009) has seen a decline in numbers (DfT Regional Transport Statistics, Road Freight Dataset).
Figure 5.6.1 Freight transported by road originating in the South West
