Drive econom by investing in road network
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A REPORT ISSUED by 1 Confederation of British Indus (CBI) says investment in rmmust not be neglected during 1 economic downturn because "dire levels of congestion" parts of the network.
In its new study Tackh Conges-tion, Driving Growth organisation states: • government road investrm should focus on congestion pir points. Existing bottlenecks shot be dealt with as a matter of prior and strategic links built betwe cities and to freight hubs; • greater use of private investrm would help deliver improvemei The CBI points to the range private finance models already us in the UK to build infnistructt: which, it says, can help dal projects "on time and on budget' • road pricingshould be considet to build new roads or extra lane: The organisation says experier from other countries suggests 1 public will support a toll on a n road if it is the only way the road v be built, and that tolls used on n lanes on motorways and A-rot can help prevent congestion.
The Freight Transport Ass( iation (ETA) says "a combinati of new ideas" needs to considered as part of the deb; focusing on congestion.
ETA media relations manat Liam Northfield says: "As we lit out of recession, the levels of trat on our roads will rise, maki congestion, which represents huge cost to business and t environment, more pressing."
Jack Semple, Road Haula Association policy director, ad "I'm not sure this report is goi to stir ministers into action."
• See p10 for the governmer view on road investment.