Trade associations have expressed its disappointment this week at Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves’ decision to ditch key infrastructure projects, writes Carol Millett.
Government announced a package of cuts aimed at tackling the £21bn funding deficit which the Labour government is attributing to years of Tory economic mismanagement, including road infrastructure projects.
The Chancellor’s spending plan announced targeted £1bn of unfunded transport projects, which she said would undergo a ‘thorough review’.
She also confirmed that the controversial tunnel for the A303, which was to be built under Stonehenge, along with a scheme to upgrade the A27 Arundel Bypass would be scrapped.
Logistics UK policy director Kevin Green said that the lack of focus on infrastructure spending could hamper economic growth: “For too long, investment in improving the UK’s infrastructure has been overlooked, making it more challenging for goods to be delivered to their customers.
“Logistics underpins every sector of the economy and, as such, is ideally placed to help the new government get growth moving again. Our members appreciate that the books have to be balanced but ignoring the opportunities which logistics can create will hamper growth at a time when our sector stands ready to kick-start recovery across the economy.”
RHA said scrapping key infrastructure projects will lead to greater congestion and supply chain disruption. MD Richard Smith said: ”Investment in the Strategic Road Network is a critical part of the government’s mission to grow the economy. These vital schemes are long overdue, not just providing a link between the southeast and southwest, but also safeguarding our cultural heritage.
“A failure to invest in our road network now will mean a failure to tackle the growing problem of congestion on Britain’s roads and choke the economic recovery.”
