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f2Obn transport cash not yet spent
Page 16
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The DfT is open to suggestions as to where it should target E2Obn of unallocated transport spending. Roanna Avison reports
ABOUT 12 OBN OF the government's transport budget for 2014-19 has yet to be allocated. Speaking at the Freight Transport Association's annual dinner, Transport Undersecretary Jim Fitzpatrick said he expected to be inundated with ideas now this fact had been made public.
He was responding to a speech by ETA president Andrew Haines, who called on the government to recognise the importance of freight movements by investing urgently in the transport infrastructure ("The infrastructure needs cash now', CM 8 November).
Fitzpatrick claimed the role of the freight transport industry is not underestimated by the government, saying:"Without efficient transport the British economy cannot function effectively and our international effectiveness will suffer.This is why we have pledged record investment in the transport sector for years to come. From this long-term funding commitment £20bn is unallocated for 2014-19."
And replying to Haines' call for this investment to be made more quickly, Fitzpatrick said: "We are [investing]. Two weeks ago we announced 1132m in funding to support strategic rail freight and /150m to extend the active traffic management scheme on the M42 to other motorways around Birmingham."
He added: "All these changes are part of the big programme and rethink of the way we develop transport in Britain. Transport policy does not need to be a choice between rich and dirty and poor and green — we can aim to boost economic growth and tackle climate change at the same time."
The government plans to target public spending across the various modes of transport, Fitzpatrick said. "We want to listen and learn from people on the ground Sc) we understand the challenges they face before we start to formulate a solution."
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