The British International Freight Association (BIFA) has given a cautious welcome to the news that the UK Government has confirmed a commitment by the previous administration to invest some £25 billion in England’s road transport infrastructure.
BIFA Director General, Robert Keen, says:
“We have regularly said that there has been too little investment in the UK road infrastructure network over many years.
“This lack of spending has caused the country’s network of A roads and motorways to become congested, undermining the UK’s competitiveness in comparison to its international peers.
“BIFA has said repeatedly that it is imperative that new road building and road reconstruction projects are not only implemented, but developed in such a way as to maximise their functionality.
“Whilst today’s announcement does not appear to be additional funding to that announced by the previous administration, it does offer some clarity on where the funds will be spent between 2020 and 2025, with 14 of England’s major roads being upgraded, including the widening of the A12, that key artery to and from the port of Felixstowe.
“That will be welcome news for BIFA members, which as freight forwarders, rely on the road network to move Britain’s visible domestic and international trade.
“We are now hopeful that talk of infrastructure investment will cease to be just talk and we will see some spades in the ground.”
