Leading trade body Freight Transport Association FTA has warned that spending cuts on major transport projects, owing to a massive public investment shortfall, will not only damage the UK's road and rail infrastructure, but severely jeopardise Britain's economic future.
Responding to yesterday's leaked industry memo warning of a reduction in the Department for Transport's capital expenditure plans by £28.9 billion, Jo Tanner of the FTA said:
"Once again, it looks as though the transport sector is the whipping boy. News of massive cuts in much-needed road and rail infrastructure projects will send a shiver down the spine of an industry that forms the backbone of business in the country.
"Although the UK's transport companies lead the way in terms of investing in greener and newer technology, they are not being met half-way by public investment in our roads and railways. Clearly, the political will to win votes supersedes the need to make meaningful, long-term commitments to improving our country's economic prosperity. Yesterday's leaked memo confirms that government policy is dangerously myopic."