Delivery of a long term aviation strategy is more important to businesses in Britain than progressing with rail improvements, but is not as crucial as the need to upgrade roads, according to a report published today.
The CBI / AECOM Infrastructure Survey 2017 heard from 727 firms. It found that 35% thought delivery of the current Road Investment Strategy is a critical transport priority during the early years of this Parliament.
Improvements to the local road network were only slightly lower (34% critical) and delivery of a long term aviation strategy came in third (31% critical).
On the railways only 19% thought the next enhancement programme Control Period 6 was of critical importance, with High Speed 2 and Crossrail 2 given very high priority by just 20% and 19% of respondents respectively.
The survey also found that most transport providers in the rail sector (61%) are dissatisfied with infrastructure delivery and the policy environment, compared with half of those operating in roads and 37% in aviation.
Across the board it was felt that a majority of firms are not confident transport infrastructure will improve (road 68%, aviation 65% and rail 61%).
CBI director general Carolyn Fairbairn said Government had shown a real commitment on infrastructure over the last year, including decisions on Heathrow and the A303. “But our survey shows this is not translating into optimism about future improvements among both firms and the public, who are united in their concern about the pace of delivery for new projects,” she said.
“We’ve now reached crunch time for the UK’s infrastructure. This is no time for discussion and delays, it’s time for delivery.”
AECOM’s chief executive for European civil infrastructure Richard Robinson added that the focus now must remain on progressing the UK’s ambitious infrastructure pipeline. “Schemes such as the third runway at Heathrow, Crossrail 2 and the Northern Powerhouse programme are world class projects and vital to the country’s ability to compete on a global stage.
“However, if we are to grasp the opportunity to make major progress on infrastructure, the issue must remain high on the Government’s agenda.”
♦ Government yesterday published updated aviation demand forecasts, which it says shows the need for additional runway capacity is greater than originally thought. It says all five of London's main airports will be completely full by the mid 2030s and four of them within a decade. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has also begun a short period of consultation on a revised draft Airports National Policy Statement to allow people to consider these updated forecasts.
(Photo: Heathrow Airports Limited)
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