The report showed that 96% of the 727 businesses surveyed see infrastructure as important to the government’s agenda and 55% view it as critical. Commitments to British infrastructure from the government include the Clean Growth Strategy and the £500 billion infrastructure pipeline to its decision to build a new runway at Heathrow and the plan to go ahead with the A303 tunnel.
Firms' dissatisfaction with infrastructure in their region increased with 54% dissatisfied or very dissatisfied, an 8% increase from last year. The digital sector is the exception, however, where 59% of firms are confident of improvements.
Key statistics on transport show that the delivery of the current Road Investment Strategy is the top priority for the government, with 92% of firms citing this as critical or important. This figure is followed closely by delivering improvements to local road networks (88%) and the delivery of the current rail enhancement programme, CP5 (88%).
Regarding aviation priorities for a new relationship with the EU, 92% of businesses thought agreements between the EU and third-party countries was a critical or important issue to be addressed, ahead of access to skills and talent from the EU (90%).
In addition, Transport providers are dissatisfied across the board with infrastructure delivery and the policy environment: 61% of firms are dissatisfied with rail; 50% are dissatisfied with roads and; 37% are dissatisfied with aviation. In addition, a majority of firms are not confident that transport infrastructure will improve: roads show a 68% dissatisfaction; aviation 65% and; Rail 61%.
Richard Robinson, chief executive – civil infrastructure, Europe, Middle East, India and Africa, at AECOM, said: “Given the strong correlation between infrastructure investment and economic growth, it is hardly surprising that when infrastructure decisions are delayed, it is UK business that feels the pain. Indeed, the overriding message from business and the public in this year’s survey is clear: more needs to be done to raise confidence and up the pace in which infrastructure is delivered. Now is the time to provide clarity around infrastructure investment and accelerate action.
“Transformational infrastructure necessitates bold decisions and strong vision. The next five years present a huge opportunity for the Government to set in train a lasting legacy for future generations. The link between transport and long-term plans for other vital infrastructure such as energy, water, waste and housing must also be considered. A clear vision for integration will be essential to accommodate the UK’s projected population growth and maintain economic prosperity.”
A full copy of the survey can be found <%$Linker:
74% of firms doubt infrastructure will improve over this Parliament and 76% the public doubt any improvement will occur, according to the CBI/3525 AECOM Infrastructure survey 2017. The findings show that both business and the public are concerned about the pace of delivery and a record number of firms are dissatisfied with the state of infrastructure in the region.
