The Government document states, ‘We propose no substantive change to the regulatory and operating framework for ports. We also confirm our view that commercial port operators are best placed to make decisions about where and when to invest in the port sector. We see no additional benefit from a locally or regionally determinative ports policy.’

Stating that it is the Government’s responsibility to create the conditions in which investment is encouraged, whilst also ensuring sustainability, the report promises the commissioning of demand forecasts every five years to aid in the assessment of national need. It recommends the use of Master Plans by ports to improve planning and sets out broad guidelines on the safeguarding of port land. Further trust port modernisation will be pursued and there are plans to enhance the port safety regime.

The review, which covers ports in England and Wales, was intended to clarify the Government’s role on the ports sector and promises to determine how road and rail improvements needed to serve future major port developments are brought on stream effectively. Its conclusions with regard to this issue will be set out alongside the Government response to the Eddington Report on the long term links between transport and economic productivity/growth as well as the Stern Report on environmental sustainability.

Expessing his approval of the Government maintaining a market-led policy framework for ports, UK Major Port Group chairman Richard Everitt said, ‘Decisions on port investment must continue to be taken by ports themselves in response to commercial demand and should not be driven by other factors.’

The UK’s Freight Transport Association welcomed the Interim Review but reiterated its position that the Government should accept responsibility for funding inland transport links from ports, as happens in other developed nations. The FTA’s head of global supply chain policy Christopher Snelling said, ‘Hopefully it is a good sign that the Government has held back its decisions on inland connections, to coordinate with its response to Eddington. The Eddington Report was clear about the significance of international gateways to the future of the UK economy, and so we hope this will inform the Department for Transport’s thinking in that area.’