MRCMH provided support to the Humber Economic Partnership (HEP) to aid them in responding to the Government initiated review of the policy framework for ports during early 2006.

As part of the review the government sought the views of stakeholders with an interest in ports and port development. The consultation presented an opportunity for bodies such as the HEP to input into the policy review and seek to shape future ports policy and the related areas of planning and transport policy.

The review was wide-ranging, but the main areas were:

• The need for future ports capacity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
• The policy and regulatory framework for land use and transport planning to facilitate the market in optimising investment decisions.
• Inland transport links to achieve efficient distribution with full regard for environmental impacts.
• How to make the best use of the smaller ports, some of which are under local authority control.
  The HEP sought help and advice in bringing together a sub-regional response to the ports review and wished to take account of and inform other responses in the Yorkshire and Humber Region, to ensure a consistent approach in the responses to government. In achieving that goal, great weight was placed on MRCMH’s ability to consult with a number of key regional and local stakeholders.

MRCMH carried out:

• Data gathering, consultation and development of an evidence base
• Data analysis
• An audit of other responses
• Preparation of final report