FTA says that it is essential for there to be adequate investment in the roads which serve Tyne & Wear and Teesport. The FTA North East Freight Council met in Durham on 13th June.

Malcolm Bingham, FTA's Head of Policy for the North of England said, "It is vital that the ambitions for the North East ports described in the Northern Way are matched by appropriate investment in the access to those ports by road and rail. Inadequate infrastructure, preventing the operation of reliable delivery schedules, could jeopardise the ability to increase traffic through the ports, which will benefit the North East economy and population.

"The key trade routes in the North East, and the pinch points on those routes, have been identified by FTA members and require early action.  These include the A19, A1 and A66.  We look for support from the national, regional and local authorities within the region in order to ensure that the potential to improve the productivity of the North East is fully realised."