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RHA warns that infrastucture 'tipping point' may hinder economic growth

25th October 2007
Page 7
Page 7, 25th October 2007 — RHA warns that infrastucture 'tipping point' may hinder economic growth
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

THE UK'S failing infrastructure is one of the biggest threats to economic growth, according to Road Haulage Association (RHA) chairman Willie Oliver.

At the last RHA Lunch in its current form, Oliver gave an impassioned speech to guests including senior Department for Transport civil servants and Shadow Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers ('Tories unveil transport policies'. CM 11 October) in which he warned: "We are approaching a tipping point when growth cannot he achieved because of inherent defects in the road and rail systems. We are approaching an infrastructure gap and with it the inability to achieve the economic growth required [by government].

"The investment needed to keep the UK moving and delivering economic growth is huge. We need high-speed rail links but we also need road investment. While we note the government's intention to build Crossrail in London, I hope it is not at the expense of cri ss-cross roads for the rest of the UK!" A The RHA's W Oliver also implored politicians, both local and national, to take freight seriously. He pointed out that the LocalTransport Bill,due to come before Parliament soon, makes almost no reference to freight: "[The Bill's] proposals to reform the role of the Traffic Commissioners, who currently spend around 70% of their time on lorry-related issues, appear to have been driven almost entirely by the bus sector."

But he ended on a high note by reporting that the RHA. had recruited its 25,000th member, Falcon Contract Flooring of Dudley. "I wish we had 25,000 members at the same time," Oliver concluded."But ours is an industry where companies come and go."

illie Oliver


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