Transport short of œ1.8bn funding

Local authorities in the UK are being faced with a shortfall of more than œ1.8 billion for the funding of transport infrastructure projects.

A survey by the Institution of Civil Engineers shows that maintenance spending is œ900 million short of what is needed, and current spending is down œ953 million.

The survey comes as news that five local road schemes have been shelved by the DoT as part of its cuts in road spend. They are: the North Bridge relief road, Doncaster (œ35 million); the Darlington cross town route (œ7.8m); the Thornaby bypass in Cleveland; Grimsby Peakes Parkway (œ18m); and the A260 Canterbruy to Folkestone Road in Kent.

The ICE survey estimates that œ4.7 billion is needed to fund and maintain both road and public transport projects in the local government sector.

And this does not take into account the latest reductions in the transport supplementary grant which, if taken into account, brings the actual shortfall to around 40%.

It is understood that the lion's share of the shortfall is in the roads sector, but, despite this, local councils see public transport as being in the greatest need for future development.

The survey also shows that spending on rail infrastructure is 75% less than required, that rail maintenance spending is projected to fall by 30% this year and that core investment in London Underground fell by 25% in 1994/95.

The UK has the lowest per capita investment in rail in Europe and the most vehicles per kilometre of motorway, says the ICE which also argues that buses have the greatest potential for future development in the local authority transport arena.