Britain's crumbling transport infrastructure under fire from CBI

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has urged the government to speed up planning procedures and promote private investment in order to improve Britain's crumbling transport infrastructure.

The CBI said that the UK's transport network was unreliable, congested, and undermining British competitiveness.

Worst of all are roads, according to the business body. Roads were rated as poor, and getting more unreliable and crowded.

Meanwhile train travel was considered satisfactory in terms of reliability and capacity.

The CBI has also called for transport spending to be kept in line with levels set in the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review.

CBI deputy director general John Cridland said: "We need a transport system fit for the needs of the 21st Century - faster, more reliable, and lower-carbon.

"When the upturn in the economy comes, poor transport must not be allowed to hold UK business back.

"But how do we get there in the current economic climate, and where do we get the money to fund the essential improvements we need?"

"The numerous strategy documents it has published in recent years do not amount to an effective and convincing route map.

"Second, we must harness private investment to develop the transport network people want for the future.

"Third, let's see if there is a way to change people's travel patterns to ease some of the problems in the short term."

The Department of Transport highlighted that it has spent £150bn on Britain's transport infrastructure over the the past decade, and will spend another £40bn between now and 2011.