Britain’s next Government must commit to introducing a UK national transport strategy, ensure certainty of funding for all transport infrastructure and introduce a ‘total expenditure approach’ to investment, CIHT announced yesterday.

These trio of measures form part of a series of key actions which the Institution is asking the main political parties to consider in the run up to the General Election.

CIHT chief executive Sue Percy said: “We call for any new Government to invest in transport infrastructure and to recognise its importance to the economic development of all parts of the UK.”

Introducing a UK national transport strategy would, CIHT says, provide the basis for an efficient and co-ordinated programme of infrastructure investment that enables economic growth and gives businesses confidence to invest in the UK.

Greater certainty of funding is required, it adds, because the creation and delivery of a pipeline of infrastructure investment would encourage businesses to invest in the resources needed to deliver future requirements.

It also recommends that all sectors adopt a ‘total expenditure’ (TOTEX) method to help address shortfalls in maintenance spending, which tends to operate on annualised budgets.

Further actions for the next Government urged by CIHT include greater recognition that transport plays a fundamental part in the creation of better places to live and work and the adoption of infrastructure delivery plans at the sub-national level.

It also calls for more investment in skills development so that the sector become more representative of the society it serves and for Government to show leadership in encouraging public, private and academic sectors to work together to develop and implement solutions to current and future problems.

Sue Percy added: “Certainty of funding and investment is fundamental, so the ongoing development of industrial and housing strategies remain key. Any future investment must include the whole life maintenance of this transport infrastructure.

“Brexit provides an opportunity for the UK to use transportation infrastructure investment to ensure that it has the economy and resources to improve its productivity and competitiveness in global markets.

“Transportation professionals play an important role in the development of the economy and we must ensure the UK has the required skills to deliver on any infrastructure investment.”

To find out more about what CIHT is calling for from the next Government click here.

(Photo courtesy of Brian Snelson and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence)