Long on promises, but short on detail

Last week's Pre-Budget Report and Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) announcements by Chancellor Alistair Darling failed to provide much meaningful direction for the road transport industry. The consensus among the industry is that it was a disappointing statement for its lack of detail on creating a secure future for the industry, particularly in terms of transport infrastructure improvements.

Darling acknowledged that "in the past we paid a heavy price as a country for failing to invest when it was necessary, particularly on transport". His announcement that transport investment will double - to £14.5bn a year by the year 2010 - was "putting that right", he said. The Chancellor revealed that extra funds will be allocated to strategic road network schemes, but tellingly did not put a figure on such investment. A further £31.3bn a year is to be spent on local and regional transport improvements, while rail has been promised an injection of £15bn over five years, after two years of double investment to upgrade the national railway network. The cash will provide for the construction of Crossrail.

 

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