The Charted Institution for Highways & Transportation (CIHT) has called on the UK government to recognise the importance of transportation and highways infrastructure in its 2020 spending review.
The membership body, which has over 14,000 members, said transportation is critical to the country’s economic recovery following the coronavirus pandemic.
According to CIHT, the spending review provides an opportunity to create a new “future of transport” and has therefore outlined five key areas it believes the government needs to invest in.
Firstly, CIHT said it wants to see the government develop guidance for how planning and transport should be integrated to achieve sustainable outcomes. The membership body warned that without changes to this area the cost from poor health, climate change and congestion will continue to rise.
Secondly, it has called for a refocus of the local highway network to support a wider move to active travel.
CIHT said it also wants to see the creation of a national transport strategy that links planning and transport with other policy areas. It said it hopes a national strategy would give increased devolved powers to a regional and local level.
Furthermore, the organisation has recommended that the government creates a clear plan for improving skills and capability by supporting organisations’ workforce investment. CIHT suggested a Highways Sector Council be set up to monitor skills needs and advise on priorities.
Finally, CIHT suggested a long-term strategy is required to significantly reduce the number of people killed and injured on the UK’s roads. It recommended re-introducing casualty reduction targets to drive policy and behaviour change with more emphasis placed on sharing roads.
Sue Percy, chief executive CIHT, said: “Transportation is critical to economic performance and productivity and addresses many of the government’s key policy areas including carbon reduction, health, and inclusion.
“In making these recommendations, CIHT is also highlighting that we want to work with government to deliver on these key areas.”
