The North of England is more critical of the state of road infrastructure than anywhere else in the UK, with 68% of those in the North West saying it has deteriorated over the last 10 years.
While, unsurprisingly, manufacturers across the UK hope to see the repair of motorways and A roads prioritised by Government as part of future infrastructure plans.
This is a result of a survey by Make UK who say that the Economy is being held back by ailing transport network, with poor roads adding to logistics costs
The survey found that manufacturers would also like to see Government place greater emphasis on the benefits of investment, rather than on the initial costs, as well as speed up local planning processes and investment in public transport to help improve connectivity between young people and their manufacturing places of work, as well as better connecting east-west.
“Following years of underinvestment, this new Government now needs to be bold on its infrastructure investment and realise the productivity improvements of doing so. At the top of this agenda must be repairing our roads with British manufacturers wanting to see an immediate focus on A roads and Motorways. To help make this happen, manufacturers want to see more local decision-making and support for local authorities to speed up planning processes.” said the
Increased investment in local bus networks to connect out-of-town areas would also give more young people the chance to work in the well-paid manufacturing sector, while long term rail projects are desperately needed to connect more east-west connections to truly deliver an equal share of opportunities around the whole of the UK.
