Inquiry will probe road spend plans FOLLOWING LAST week's pledge
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from the government to treble investment in UK roads by 2020, the Transport Select Committee has announced a Parliamentary inquiry into the nation's strategic road network.
The inquiry will examine the government's plans to commit £28bn in capital spending to Britain's road infrastructure between 2015 and 2020.
Chief secretary to the Treasury DannyAlexander described it as the biggest investment in Britain's roads since the 1970s, Under the plans, the Highways Agency will become a publicly owned corporation.
Committee chairwoman Louise Ellman MP said the inquiry was overdue, given the network's importance to the economy. Rob Flello MP, chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Freight Transport, welcomed the inquiry. "I have frequent talks with road hauliers who tell me the road network is in a terrible state and that it shows no sign of improving.
"The UK economy relies on the strategic road network and without a real increase in investment, the UK risks losing the ability to compete with other countries," he added.
He called on the industry to engage with the inquiry and highlight the difficulties businesses face on the road network. The inquiry is expected to begin this autumn.