Transport policy: on the right track but running late
17 December 2002

The Freight Transport Association has welcomed Transport Secretary Alistair Darling’s commitment to pursuing the objectives of the ten year Plan. However, FTA continues to have grave doubts about the adequacy of planned investment and the speed at which results can be delivered ­ particularly as this is the blueprint on which industry relies when planning its own investment. For every pound the Government spends on the delivery of the Ten Year Plan, industry will invest five pounds in its supply chains.

Simon Chapman, FTA Chief Economist said, ‘Now is not the time for the Government to lose nerve and change direction, just because results take time to deliver. Last week’s announcement on road and rail infrastructure spending was a food start, but without further investment we will just be running to stand still. If we are to stand any chance of seeing even these new, more conservative benefits of the Ten Year Plan an early commitment to a much larger tranche of that infrastructure spending is needed. The Government must also recognise the importance of effective transport network management through road user charging, incident mangement, driver communications technology and priority routes for essential vehicles.

‘The UK has the fourth largest economy in the world and needs a transport infrastructure to match. The Secretary of State’s decision to publish today’s Ten year Plan reality check must now be followed by a big transport spending cheque. This is the only way to get our congested roads and failing rail system moving.’

2010 Transport: Aspiration and Reality

Last updated: Wed Jul 21 14:20:07 2004