David Cameron Promises £15bn Road Revolution

David Cameron has recently pledged a whopping £15 billion by the end of the decade to tackle approximately 100 of the problematic UK roads including trans-Pennine roads in the north of England. This is by far the biggest road infrastructure investment since the 1970’s, and is only a small slice of a £375bn national infrastructure plan. The Prime Minister addressed the Confederation of British Industry advising them that the coalition adopted a sluggish position on infrastructure after the previous labour administration delivered the lowest infrastructure investment compared to any OECD country between 2000 and 2007.

The Prime Minister stated that he will do whatever it takes to build an infrastructure that will result in a modern economy for the entire country, and this rather large investment was only made possible due to the effective management of finances. He further said that currently his government is not only the biggest spender on rail compared to any other government since the Victorian Times, but also the biggest investor in roads since the big expansion of the 1970’s.

According to Mr Cameron, this £15 billion will be spent on roads between now and 20120, which could result in an additional 100 schemes on UK roads. However, these extra schemes are still being investigated and the government in considering those pinch points and problem area that business and people have said to be of utmost importance. The decision to spend this large amount wasn’t easy, but there were several decisions to be considered with regards to spending in terms of efficiencies, but when all said and done infrastructure topped the list of priorities.

UK Roads

Mr Cameron claimed that it would’ve been easy as a prime minister faced with these tough decisions to overlook the electrification of the highways, to ignore road or energy investment, to give up on the HS2 and to cancel the Crossrail, but this is an approach he has bluntly refused. In order to succeed, it is important to make these investments said the Prime Minister. So to clear the air, there will be no hindrances on the work being performed on the aforementioned project, and this new budget will not affect it whatsoever.

Mr Cameron’s decision was welcome by several big names including Edmund King – president of AA who stated that UK roads cater to 90% of goods and people so it only right to upgrade them in an effort to boost the country’s economy. Furthermore RAC Foundation director Professor Stephen Glaister highlighted that the Chancellor collects more than £30 billion in road fuel duty and Vehicle Excise Duty (car tax) alone, but only spends a small fraction of it on development of UK roads.

Yet there were a few individuals such as road campaigner Chris Todd who weren’t too excited about the government’s decision to spend £15 billion on roads as he claims it will only destroy protected areas and will not work in favour of the economy.

An upgrade can only be a good thing and will make an impact for drivers who payout a lot of money in road tax, motor traders and traders insurance and fuel prices more in the last several years.
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