09.09.11
Transport infrastructure ‘needs improvement’ - CBI
Britain’s ageing road and rail networks are damaging investment, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) argues.
They suggest that cutting infrastructure spending as part of austerity measures would be a mistake, and would damage Britain’s competitiveness. A survey of businesses conducted by KPMG found that 58% think Britain’s infrastructure is worse than in other EU countries. Only 18% say that its transport network has improved.
John Cridland, the CBI's director-general said: “We need ministerial decisions that get spades in the ground and people working now.
“There are large amounts of business capital waiting to be unlocked if the government achieves a step-change on transport, for example with the introduction of road tolls. Capital investment must return to pre-recession levels at the earliest opportunity.”
Cridland said private-public partnerships were the key to improving infrastructure, with possible tolls charged on new roads to drive business.
The CBI has pulled together business leaders to form an infrastructure board, headed by Mark Elborne, UK boss of General Electric, to lobby cabinet ministers to support debate about infrastructure on a national level.
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