Within the next 10-15 years Scotland’s harvest volumes are set to double, but the potential revenue may not be realised unless improvements are made to the country’s rural road network.

In anticipation of this – and to address existing transport problems – the Timber Transport Forum has been working with Scottish local authorities and the Forest Industries Development Council to develop a case for a strategic timber transport fund. The only specific central government funding is the Freight Facilities Grant, but this is limited to rail and water transport; at present road transport accounts for 90% of all timber movements in Scotland and, even with investment in the rail and water infrastructure, it is estimated that road haulage will still be used for at least 75% of all timber movements.

The Timber Transport Forum’s report is now with the forestry minister Allan Wilson and it is hoped that the Scottish Executive will give the thumbs up to the fund.

“If we are to allow all this harvesting, we need funding for integrated transport solutions,” said forum chairman Alistair Speedie.

It is estimated that upgrading rural roads to a standard capable of serving timber traffic would cost £110m – and reap economic benefits of £340m over 20 years.

The report says that Scottish forestry directly generates around £120m a year but this could be below the potential because of access constraints. It is estimated that, without improvements to the infrastructure, by 2018/19 output growth could be a fifth lower than potential.

“If felling is delayed because of inadequate timber transport, not only will output suffer, but there will also be a risk of devastating wind damage in the forests. This would cause environmental problems, make access to the forests more difficult and reduce their amenity value for visitors and local communities,” the report says.

Reduced haulage costs

In addition, timber haulage costs, currently estimated to be 60% higher than those in Scandinavia, could be reduced by at least 10%, saving just under £90m over 20 years. Over the same period, improving the transport network would also generate £14m in benefits for local communities, tourism, agriculture and fisheries.

The forum is preparing a model bid to illustrate the possibilities to the Scottish Executive and enable plans to be implemented quickly should the funding become available. Those possibilities are not just about improving local authority roads: there is a whole host of solutions that may include building internal forestry roads to transport timber to the stronger local roads or to ports, or developing rail links.

“The general agreement is that there is a problem and councils can’t solve it alone; it has to be a partnership with industry,” said Mr Speedie. “It’s a huge issue and a huge challenge.”

That’s why the forum’s national partnering charter, presented to Allan Wilson recently, is of significance. It is a demonstration of how the timber industry, the forum’s eight timber transport groups and local authorities are working together to address transport issues.

“The industry has come together in partnership for the first time,” said Mr Speedie, “The national partnering charter is a symbol that we are all working together to solve the problems.”

Agree road maps

One of the results of this partnership has been the agreed road maps which direct timber traffic along specific, more robust routes. These maps are agreed throughout the industry and are reviewed each year as harvesting sites change. The routes aim to balance the needs of the rural community with those of the timber industry which must get timber to the market as effectively and efficiently as possible.

Rural communities are concerned about the negative impact of heavy transport and that this will increase as harvesting volumes rise.

“At the same time, the timber industry is very important to the rural economy,” said Mr Speedie. “It is a springboard for economic regeneration and development, and has a social and tourism value.”