Government told to sort 10-Year Transport Plan funding gap

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has today (Tuesday) called on the government to plug the apparent funding gap in its 10-Year Transport Plan.

Latest figures estimated by the employers' body see costs of the plan rising from £180bn to £195bn, much of which is needed on the railways.

The CBI's call follows last week's £5.5bn announcement by transport secretary Alistair Darling for the next stage of the 10-year plan.

CBI director general Digby Jones said: "Delivery is proving harder than anyone first thought and it is now clear that the current budget will not deliver all the promised improvements. Extra funding is part of the solution."

However Jones heralded Darling as taking some of the make or break expansion decisions needed to make the plan happen.