Roads not meeting business needs, poll says

Written by: Simon Pavey, Last updated:15th February 2022

Roads not meeting business needs

Britain’s infrastructure is increasingly unfit for purpose and this is impacting directly upon businesses, according to a new poll.

Research carried out by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) in conjunction with Stagecoach found that of the 1,200 business leaders surveyed, only 35 per cent feel the UK road network is meeting their needs when it comes to reaching customers, employees and suppliers.

Losing business due to poor roads

This was even lower than the 47 per cent recorded in 2018, with 60 per cent saying they had experienced delays that resulted in issues such as client dissatisfaction and loss of business within the past month.

The BCC is now calling on the government and whoever is in power following the upcoming general election to make significant investments in road and rail schemes and to give companies more say in local decision-making.

Spokesperson Claire Walker said: “Upgrading our road and rail capacity would send a vital signal that businesses are finally being heard, would kick-start business investment across the country and will pay dividends long into the future.”

The National Infrastructure Commission has recommended public spending on infrastructure should make up 1.2 per cent of GDP per year by 2020, but the BCC is keen for this to rise to at least 1.4 per cent to ensure roads are fit for purpose.

Ellie Baker, brand manager at Fuel Card Services, comments: “We’ve all seen evidence that Britain’s roads are in a state, but to see this impacting upon businesses in such a tangible way is truly shocking. It’s clear something must be done.”

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