Road and rail infrastructure is ‘paralysed’ by Heathrow delays
THE entire country is “suffering” from the paralysis around Heathrow’s expansion, the National Infrastructure Commission has warned in a sweeping report detailing the problems with Britain’s road, rail, energy and digital networks.
“The delay in the planning of new national airport capacity is the most egregious failure of all,” said the NIC’S chairman Lord Adonis in the commission’s interim report.
“Thirteen years after a statement of state policy for the construction of a third runway at the UK’S principal hub airport, Heathrow, parliamentary consent to proceed has still not been given.
“All regions of the UK, which rely on Heathrow for international passenger and high value freight services, are suffering. In a Brexit Britain which will live or die by global trade, the ‘Heathrow full’ sign must be hauled down without delay.”
The airport’s expansion is one of a major series of changes which the UK must make to boost the economy, prepare the country to compete globally and improve quality of life, according to the report.
Congestion on the road and rail networks is a serious problem, the report said. Greater use of smart technologies – such as the digital signals on the London Underground – could help, while the government should start preparing for the development of self-driving cars. Major investment in a new charging network is also required to handle the shift to electric cars – and the government also needs to think about taxation as revenues from fuel duty will drop precipitously as petrol and diesel cars are phased out.
Rail and metro systems should be upgraded and expanded, while more priority should be given to cycling and bus networks, the report said.
Meanwhile, urgent action is needed to replace the two-thirds of UK power stations which are scheduled to close by 2030, and to do so while meeting carbon emissions targets.
“The commission will also be considering whether there are unnecessary barriers in place preventing the deployment of onshore wind, one of the cheapest renewable technologies.
“The UK is far behind other countries in its 4G mobile coverage, and it needs a plan to become a world leader in 5G and ultra-fast broadband,” it said.
“Politicians at all levels must act on today’s report,” said Chris Richards from manufacturers’ group EEF.