The Sunday Times, 23/10/16, publicised a major article urging more spend on roads to boost the economy.
Extracts are shown below:-
While investment in the expansion of London airports, the HS2 rail link and the Hinkley Point nuclear power plant may be pressing, there are a multitude of smaller projects – such as a much-delayed £160m upgrade to the A63 – urgently needed, which could bring a quicker boost to the economy.
As he draws up spending plans for his autumn statement next month, Chancellor Philip Hammond is under pressure to invest in infrastructure to support an economy facing the headwinds of a potentially messy exit from the EU.
Business leaders and economists are urging Hammond to think small, and concentrate on potholes and railway signals rather than headline-grabbing schemes.
In a shift from his predecessor George Osborne’s fondness for grand schemes, the Treasury is thought to be drawing up a shopping list of “shovel-ready” projects that will provide a swifter boost to productivity and growth.
According to the World Economic Forum, Britain’s road infrastructure ranks 29th among countries across the globe, behind Namibia and Ecuador.
“Our roads are chronically underfunded and congested,” said Sir John Armitt, deputy chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission, set up to advise the government on Britain’s long-term infrastructure needs.
“Shovel-ready” projects are more likely to bring benefits that outweigh their costs than larger schemes – for which long-term benefits are harder to forecast and can often be inflated for political reasons – according to Nick Prior, global head of infrastructure at consultancy firm Deloitte.
What could give better returns than a barrier replacement program being initiated?
BBS concrete barriers are not just safer than steel:
- they are highly cost-effective
- they massively reduce maintenance costs
- they prevent delays
- they reduce congestion and emissions by keeping traffic flowing
BBS Licensees have the capacity to react to any surge in barrier orders.