Transport is a fundamental 'finishing component' of agricultural production. Inefficient or insufficient transport infrastructure reduces the ability of producers to meet consumer demands and to achieve a fair return for their product. Efficient transport infrastructure planning that both recognises the unique nature of agricultural production and that can respond to emerging changes within agriculture is therefore essential to the effective functioning of agricultural markets.

The purpose of the policy research reported here is to assist in understanding current freight flows, how and why these may change and examining deficiencies in existing infrastructure.

The immediate target of this research is policy planners and policy makers " particularly those working in transport infrastructure.