Editorial Spend now on roads
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CM HAS consistently urged successive Governments to spend money on the infrastructure. Our pleas and those of the British Road Federation have gone unheeded. Indeed the present administration cut back on road spending as part of its economic strategy.
The result is that we now have an inadequate motorway network and a serious deterioration on trunk roads. How long the Government will maintain its policy towards the infrastructure remains in doubt.
However, the events of the past few days may accelerate a move towards a road development and maintenance programme. The development lobby is growing.
The Confederation of British Industry, the National Economic Development Council and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development have all made strong and well supported representations to Mrs Thatcher's administration.
The strongest opposition comes from the Treasury. However, following last weekend's meeting of Ministers at the Chancellor's country retreat in Cheyvening, Kent, things may change. We will know on Budget Day — March 14.
Public spending must be tightly controlled but road works could be financed privately, to a large extent. Blue Circle Cement offered to develop the motorway system at their expense and offered the Government 30 years credit. The offer should have been accepted; it was turned down without reason!
To be competitive in Europe we must speed up the movement of goods between factories and ports. That would reduce operating cost and subsequently export costs.
Increased exports would mean increased production and a reduction in unemployment. Road building and maintenance would create employment and the raw materials are all readily available at home.
Everything points to the sense of the road building lobby. What then is stopping the Government?