Article:		CBI report shows that radical changes are needed to the way we work
More Information:		A new report from the CBI shows that radical changes to the way we work and commute are needed if the UK is to cut future congestion on its roads. In a new report called Tackling congestion, driving growth - A new approach to roads policy, the UK’s largest business group argues that time and money wasted on Britain’s congested roads can be saved, and makes a series of suggestions about how government and business can address the issue. With vehicle traffic having grown by a quarter in just 20 years, road congestion now costs the economy an estimated £7-8bn a year, which is likely to more than double by 2025 unless more action is taken. The CBI report makes a number of recommendations on infrastructure and investment including that road pricing should be considered for building new roads or extra lanes. Experience from overseas suggests the public will support a toll on a new road if it is the only way that road will be built, and that tolls used on new lanes on motorways and A roads can help prevent congestion building up again. Additionally, road investment should focus on congestion pinchpoints. Existing bottlenecks should be dealt with as a matter of priority and strategic links built between cities and to freight hubs. The CBI is also calling for reform to the Highways Agency (HA). A third of all UK passenger journeys and two-thirds of freight journeys are on the motorways and trunk roads, managed by the HA. But the agency only has its budget signed off a year at a time, compared with a five-yearly settlement for Network Rail. Future governments should commit to a longer-term investment strategy for our strategic road network, which would help bring more confidence and certainty to the construction sector.
		Read the full CBI press release
Date:		15 March 2010