Delivering for Cumbria

Professor Frank Peck of the University of Cumbria’s Centre for Regional Economic Development writes for in-Cumbria on the big issues of the day and the economic data behind them. This month, he focuses on the logistics sector. Strategic connectivity of the M6 Corridor is one of the four major themes in the Cumbria Strategic Economic Plan. Within this context, transport and logistics is recognised a key sector for the economy of the county. Using most recent data on employment for 2015, there are at least 10,000 people employed in businesses that specialise in some form of transport (by land, sea and air) or warehouse and storage. This, however, is the tip of an iceberg as there are people whose jobs involve transport and storage who are working for organisations whose primary function is something other than transport and storage. As an activity, therefore, the movement of people and goods is a major part of our economy.