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Port operators and trade associations say the government must invest urgently in road and rail links to the major UK container ports - or face crippling queues over the coming years. Paul Davey, head of corporate communications at Hutchinson Ports (UK), which owns Felixstowe, says funding for port expansion is handled by the private sector, but would prefer that the government paid for road and rail upgrades: Felixstowe is currently paying for rail upgrades on lines as far away as South Yorkshire.

Freight Transport Association head of global supply chain policy Christopher Snelling says the complete absence of financial support from government is a long-term cause of congestion and delays. He points out that other European governments provide public funding for both road and rail links and the port infrastructure - some offer up to 100% of the cost. "Our government is unique in leaving that aside," he says. Hauliers at the mercy of congested ports and crowded roads say they are fighting to manage queues and report poor turnaround times for their vehicles.

John Williams, managing director of Maritime Transport says: "The government has just distanced itself from the investment. When planning consent is granted to ports, it's often conditional on the owners investing in infrastructure. "There is an urgent need for extra port capacity to handle container throughput." Ian Wilson, MD of Hanbury Davies adds: "Roadside operations don't have the same priority as the ship  side - they should do". But Felixstowe says it is trying to manage its infrastructure better Davey adds: "What we're trying to do is look at ways we can smooth out the peaks," pointing to the pending introduction of Felixstowe's Vehicle Booking System (VBS).