The North Yorkshire Timber Freight Quality Partnership (FQP) is a group which aims to support the contribution of the forestry and timber industries to the North Yorkshire economy by ensuring that timber industries can access the timber resource whilst seeking to minimise the impact on the public road network, on local communities and on the environment.
Timber Transport in North Yorkshire
Trees and woodlands form a key component of the landscape across North Yorkshire with timber transport being vital to their long term sustainable management. North Yorkshire contains over 60,000 hectares of woodlands which represents two thirds of the Yorkshire and Humber total woodland area. This resource plays a significant role in supporting the rural economy, as well as delivering a wide range of environmental, leisure and cultural benefits. Most timber transport in North Yorkshire is moved by road, and the road haulage industry is an important stakeholder in the timber industry.
Freight Quality Partnership (FQP)
The FQP's role as a partnership working group means that it is not an official North Yorkshire County Council meeting. However, the recommendations of the FQP can be reported to the County Council and through the Portfolio holder. Membership of the FQP is set up to provide representation from a range of key stakeholders including County Council members, forest owners and growers (both public and private), the wood processing industries, timber hauliers, the local authority, national parks and other Northern England timber transport groups (in Cumbria, Northumberland and Durham).
The main objectives for the group are:
- Provide a forum in which stakeholders and operators can identify and discuss timber transport issues and problems with a view to finding sustainable solutions.
- Disseminate and inform best practice regarding timber transport management
- Develop, maintain and promote a voluntary timber routes map for North Yorkshire that shows the most suitable routes for timber haulage, highlights known constraints and establishes consultation procedures between partners.
- Encourage targeted investment in the transport infrastructure and in other technologies that will reduce the impact of timber haulage.
- Inform strategic planning with neighbouring local authorities in support of improved timber transport
The voluntary timber routes map is hosted on the North Yorkshire County Council website.
In conjunction with the routes map the group has prepared and agreed a document called Working Together which sets out good practice guidance for timber extraction and haulage in North Yorkshire.
Further information about the North Yorkshire Timber Freight Quality Partnership including the Working Together document, full terms of reference for the group, and minutes of meetings are posted on the GB Timber Transport Forum Website
If you would like to contact the Freight Quality Partnership:
Email ltp@northyorks.gov.uk
Telephone 08458 727374
Post North Yorkshire Timber Freight Quality Partnership
c/o Transport Planning Team
Highways & Transportation
North Yorkshire County Council
County Hall
Northallerton
DL7 8AH
