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BIFA welcomes UK government's transport spending of US$93 billion
THE British International Freight Association (BIFA) has welcomed the news in the UK Chancellor George Osborne's Autumn Statement that the government's transport capital spending will increase by 50 per cent to a total of GBP61 billion (US$93 billion), funding the largest road investment programme since the 1970s.
In a statement, BIFA director general, Robert Keen, said: "There has been a distinct lack of investment in the UK road infrastructure network over the past few years. This lack of spending has caused the country's network of 'A' roads and motorways to become congested, undermining the nation's competitiveness in comparison to its international peers.
He noted that the association 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.
"BIFA members that use the Cross Channel services will also be pleased at the news that GBP250 million will be spent on facilities in Kent to relieve the pressure on roads in Kent created when Operation Stack is in place".
However, he said members would be disappointed that Mr Osborne did not cut fuel duty. "Whilst, the fact that he did not even mention fuel duty effectively means that the fuel duty freeze of the last five years continues, you could be forgiven for thinking that this is probably now a fiscal platform for him to increase duty in next April's Budget".
BIFA will also be looking closely at where the 37 per cent cuts in the Department for Transport's operational budget will fall.
In a statement, BIFA director general, Robert Keen, said: "There has been a distinct lack of investment in the UK road infrastructure network over the past few years. This lack of spending has caused the country's network of 'A' roads and motorways to become congested, undermining the nation's competitiveness in comparison to its international peers.
He noted that the association 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.
"BIFA members that use the Cross Channel services will also be pleased at the news that GBP250 million will be spent on facilities in Kent to relieve the pressure on roads in Kent created when Operation Stack is in place".
However, he said members would be disappointed that Mr Osborne did not cut fuel duty. "Whilst, the fact that he did not even mention fuel duty effectively means that the fuel duty freeze of the last five years continues, you could be forgiven for thinking that this is probably now a fiscal platform for him to increase duty in next April's Budget".
BIFA will also be looking closely at where the 37 per cent cuts in the Department for Transport's operational budget will fall.
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