Businesses across the UK say the country's road and rail network isn't meeting their needs, and ahead of next month's General Election have demanded parties to "make good" on their infrastructure promises.
A survey by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) of 1,200 business leaders found that just over a third of firms feel the road network is meeting their needs when reaching customers, suppliers and employees - a fall from 47% in 2018.
Results of the '2020 and beyond, business priorities for the next UK government' were revealed today, and also said 60% experienced delays resulting in increased travel costs, loss of business, or client dissatisfaction across a one-month period.
Satisfaction with the UK rail network is even lower - less than a quarter said it was meeting their needs, compared to 34% last year.
The Chamber is now calling on the next UK government to deliver promised investment in road and rail schemes, and to give businesses a greater voice for businesses in local decision making.
According to the research, the majority of businesses do not feel that their views are taken into account when decisions are made about infrastructure. Just one in ten feel their views are either somewhat or very much taken into account in national decisions, with a little over a quarter saying their views are considered at the local level.
BCC co-executive director, Claire Walker, said: “This election has generated a barrage of promises on infrastructure spending, but unless we see real action in the early months of the new parliament, our hard-pressed firms will struggle to deliver the economic resurgence we desperately need.
"Upgrading our road and rail capacity would send a vital signal that businesses are finally being heard, would kick-start business investment across the country and will pay dividends long into the future.
“Alongside an immediate commitment to revitalise our ageing roads, the next administration should waste no time in delivering HS2 and promised investment in Northern Powerhouse Rail as part of a UK-wide high-speed rail network.”
In '2020 and beyond, business priorities for the next UK government', the BCC is calling for public investment in infrastructure to rise to at least 1.4% of GDP per year – exceeding the funding guideline of 1.2% recommended by the National Infrastructure Commission.
Stagecoach group chief executive, Martin Griffiths, said: “Britain’s congestion crisis is getting worse, directly impacting businesses and their employees, as well as causing further damage to air quality in our towns and cities.
"This research underlines a growing frustration that, despite transport authorities having powers right now to improve our road infrastructure, there is a lack of radical action to address the problem.
“If we are serious about supporting jobs and our regional economies, as well delivering cleaner air and healthier communities, we need urgent measures to prioritise public transport and incentivise a large-scale switch from cars to more sustainable bus and active travel.”
