CBI damns transport failings
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The failure of the Government to draw up a coherent transport policy is damaging British competitiveness, according to a highly critical report by the Confederation of British Industry published yesterday. The report went beyond the frequent criticisms of British under-investment in transport infrastructure by criticising the failure of the Government to create a mechanism through which clear transport priorities could be established.
Howard Davies, director-general of the CBI, criticised the way in which decisions about transport infrastructure were taken in an ad hoc secretive way, whereas our European competitors "were more willing to make financial and long-term commitments to deliver agreed objectives."
He accepted, however, that since Brian Mawhinney took over as Transport Secretary last July, the Department of Transport appeared to be "more open" to new thinking.
Nevertheless, he was very concerned at past failures. He said: "Many business people have lost confidence in the Government's ability to deliver a network which both supports British competitiveness and meets environmental concerns." International businesses were being deterred from investing in Britain because their perception of our transport infrastructure was poor.
He said that last year's government paper on competitiveness had failed to address transport adequately and he hoped for a more comprehensive approach in the forthcoming one.
The CBI is also pressing the Government to publish a Green Paper on transport policy to establish a new set of criteria since its previous policy of relying solely on increased roadbuilding had failed.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments