From British fields to British tables: the road network driving UK food manufacturing

To mark Made in UK Day, National Highways shows how Britain's motorways and A roads keep homegrown goods moving from field to factory to shelf. 

As the UK celebrates Made in UK Day on 9 March, National Highways is highlighting how the country's 4,500 miles of motorways and major A roads are vital to British manufacturing.

From British Sugar's 400,000 annual HGV loads of product to and from thousands of businesses across the country, these roads keep supply chains moving, supporting economic growth across the UK.  

As the leading producer of sugar in Britain, British Sugar depends on the road network to keep its factories operating and its customers supplied on time.  

The road network reaches into every part of the country, linking major manufacturing hubs such as the Midlands’ Golden Logistics Triangle,  an area from which around 90% of the UK population can be reached within four hours. With roughly 70% of all HGV movements taking place on motorways and major A roads, these routes are the backbone of UK trade, connecting manufacturers to ports and gateways and supporting more than three quarters of the nation’s imports and exports.

Elliot Shaw, Chief Customer & Strategy Officer at National Highways, said: 

"British manufacturing doesn't just happen in factories, it depends on the roads that connect them to the world. Businesses like British Sugar rely on our motorways and A- roads to move goods from farm to shelf, supporting jobs and growth right across the country.

“That's why we work every day to keep our roads safe and resilient, so manufacturers can focus on what they do best."

British Sugar plays a key role in the UK’s food supply chain. Its four factories in Bury St Edmunds, Cantley, Newark and Wissington supply sugar products to food and drink manufacturers across the UK and Ireland, and it is the sole supplier of British-grown, Red Tractor assured sugar to the household brand Silver Spoon.

Alongside sugar, the company produces more than 27 co-products, from animal feed and fertiliser to bioethanol and green electricity. In high crop years, British Sugar also exports sugar across Europe and beyond - relying on National Highways' routes to connect their operations to the UK's major ports and global markets.

 Stewart Dickson, Head of Logistics at British Sugar, said:    

“The high volume of our road logistics means it is essential that we have a reliable and well- connected road network, so that we can deliver sugar and other coproducts to our customers safely and on time.

“British Sugar’s entire logistics model depends on fast, reliable road links, from the moment beet leaves the farm to the moment sugar reaches food manufacturers and retailers.”  

Charlotte Horobin, CEO of Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce, said:  

“Made in UK Day highlights the crucial role manufacturers across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough play in driving growth, supporting skilled jobs and supplying world class products. Reliable access to routes like the A14, A1and M11 is essential for keeping goods moving between factories, customers and ports.  

“Continued investment in the Strategic Road Network is vital to maintain reliability and resilience. Predictable journey times help businesses plan confidently and stay competitive, while delays can quickly disrupt production and logistics.”