National Infrastructure Commission chief Lord Adonis has warned that the country faces gridlock on the roads, railways and in the skies unless urgent action is taken to increase capacity and reduce congestion. He also argues that greater efforts are needed to tackle carbon to improve an “ever worsening” quality of air.

 

Lord Adonis adds that the current state of the country’s infrastructure could hold the UK back and that a long term plan is needed to ensure it is fit for the future.

 

He also describes the lack of a firm decision on expanding Heathrow airport – 13 years after an initial statement of policy on a new runway – as “perhaps the most serious infrastructure failure of all”.

 

Other priorities identified by Lord Adonis to tackle congestion include investing in projects such as High Speed 3 and Crossrail 2, and in new and improved public transport and cycling services in cities. Efforts to reduce carbon should include building smart charging infrastructure needed for the latest vehicles, he adds. 

 

Lord Adonis highlights that speeds on inner London roads fell by up to 9% between 2012 and 2015 and that overcrowding on the railways during peak times in the capital increased by 45% between 2011 and last year.

 

He also urged local leaders from around the country to develop their own plans for improving infrastructure.

 

“We have a proud history in this country of delivering world class infrastructure but for years funding has been squeezed, policy decisions have been erratic and the network is showing signs of age and strain,” Lord Adonis said.

 

“The endless delay to a Parliamentary decision on Heathrow is a case in point and perhaps the most serious infrastructure failure of all. If we are to make the most of our economic potential and compete globally, we need the ‘Heathrow is full’ sign to come down.”

 

Commenting on Lord Adonis’s remarks consultant Arcadis’ head of research Simon Rawlinson said: “Ultimately, the job of the Commission is to assess the future need for infrastructure and to get Government and all other stakeholders to focus on the big questions that will determine whether the UK’s future is an investment in modern and clean infrastructure or whether a continuation of short term decision making leaves us in the congested slow lane.

 

“It is vital that Government is listening and responding.” 

 

(Photo: Alastair Lloyd)