RHA reaction to chancellors statement

Reacting to the Chancellor's Statement, RHA Managing Director, Richard Smith said:

We are disappointed at the announcements that key infrastructure projects - the A303 Tunnel at Stonehenge and the A27 Arundel bypass will be cancelled. Investment in the Strategic Road Network is a critical part of the Government’s mission to grow the economy. These vital schemes are long overdue, not just providing a link between the southeast and southwest, but also safeguarding our cultural heritage.

A failure to invest in our road network now will mean a failure to tackle the growing problem of congestion on Britain’s roads and choke the economic recovery. It's estimated that congestion costs the UK economy a minimum of £30.8bn a year. In the short-term, the cost of an HGV stuck in stationary traffic for an hour is £120, a crippling cost at a time when hauliers are under serious financial pressures.

In order to drive forward economic growth, we continue to urge the new Government to prioritise investment in key national infrastructure projects to tackle congestion, improve road safety, support business and keep the supply-chain moving at optimum levels.

You can read more in our recent publication: ‘Mission driven: a blueprint for delivery’ released earlier this month.