BUSINESS and investment across the country is suffering real and unnecessary damage because the UK's transport infrastructure is failing industry and commuters, according to an AA and CBI survey of 242 local authority economic development officers.
The damning verdict is made in a joint AA and CBI report Transport Links and the Economy. The report warns that urgent and much-needed improvements will cost at last £11bn a year - representing about £3bn of new money.
The report shows that there is a need to improve trunkroads and local roads, as well as public transport, including strategic and urban rail links. According to the CBI, the most immediate improvements would require at the very least around £11bn of investment each year.
For business the major transport problems are all-to-familiar - congestion, the need to improve major roads and access to motorways. But transport is affecting where we work and who we choose to work for. Employees find their major transport problems are poor public transport, traffic congestion, the non-availability or the cost of parking, long journey times and travel problems associated with being in a rural area.
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