Member Article

UK needs new vision for road network

The Government lacks a strategic vision for the UK road network, the CBI has warned.

Speaking at the Highways Term Maintenance Association’s annual conference, Dr Neil Bentley, CBI deputy director-general, said investing in roads benefits the economy, underlining the significant return on investment for big infrastructure projects.

The strategic vision for our roads must start with a National Policy Statement on road and rail, and a full review of the Highways Agency.

Dr Bentley said: “Instead of a strategic vision, we have a policy of make-do and mend. £200m of investment in tackling potholes is welcome and vital to fix roads up and down the country, but it will not deliver the network-wide improvements we need.

“The lack of vision is tying us to a roads policy that is tentative, unplanned and – in the view of CBI members – consistently falling short.”

Dr Bentley called on the Government to unlock the full potential of private capital and innovative finance mechanisms, including tax-incremental financing (TIF) schemes, to support investment in our road network.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .