CIHT: Coalition midterm review - transport policy analysis

Monday, 7 January 2013 4:47 PM

Commenting on the Coalition government's midterm review today, Sue Percy, CIHT Chief Executive said:

“Transport infrastructure plays a vital role across the whole spectrum of society and impacts on both economic and social development. A balanced long-term investment programme that focuses on transport infrastructure will retain and create jobs and provide a major catalyst for sustained economic recovery and growth of the nation.”

“CIHT believe that the way the UK funds and delivers new infrastructure projects needs to change to ensure that the UK is able to compete globally. Alternative funding models must satisfy the need for short, medium and longer term projects.”

The Government outlined proposals that included pressing ahead with the simplification of the planning process and how they are seeking to encourage privately financed infrastructure by making available debt guarantees.

The current pressures on UK public spending combined with an improved public understanding of the current economic circumstances have created an opportunity to consider the introduction of road user charging.

CIHT believe that road user charging at both the national and local level has real potential to deliver social, environmental and economic benefits including a dedicated funding stream for transport infrastructure improvements and maintenance.

Sue Percy CIHT said:

“Road user charging must not be viewed by the public as a national road tax. CIHT believe that to be a success any implementation must be:

•           fair – any system must be inclusive, accessible and equitable
•           proportional - giving priority to road vehicles based on their value to the economy and society
•           and involve sustained investment - must be improvements in the capacity and quality of viable alternative travel by public transport. “

ENDS

Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation

CIHT is a membership organisation representing over 12,000 people who work in the highways and transportation sector.

CIHT members plan, design, build, operate and maintain best-in-class transport systems and infrastructure, whilst respecting the imperatives of improving safety, ensuring economic competitiveness and minimising environmental impact.

CIHT supports its member’s professional endeavours by:
• offering training, information, professional development and support
• promoting the value added to society by the profession
• being the focused voice to Governments and other decision makers on transportation expertise and knowledge.

For more information please contact:

Daniel Isichei, Director of Communications
t: +44 (0) 20 7336 1567 m: 07912122573 e: Daniel.Isichei@ciht.org.uk
www.ciht.org.uk

Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation
119 Britannia Walk, London N1 7JE
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CIHT is a charity registered in England (1136896) and Scotland (SC040873)

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