Road network labelled 'inadequate'

08/08/11

Kevin Dixon

A road users' group has called for major improvements to the UK road transport system.

Britain's motorway network is one of the worst in Europe, while other trunk roads are "woefully inadequate", according to the Road Users' Alliance (RUA).

And unless the Government provides major road transport investment, things will only get worse, the RUA warned.

Director Tim Green said: "Our file makes grim reading with its catalogue of evidence of a failing road transport system."

The RUA study, which was based on figures available in April 2010, showed:

• The UK has 3,670km of motorway compared to Italy's 13,014km, Germany's 12,594km and France's 10,958km.
• Between 1999 and 2009, the UK growth in licensed vehicles was 21 per cent yet the major road network expanded by only 1 per cent.
• The number of licensed cars on UK roads increased from just under 24 million in 1999 to more than 28 million in 2009.

Transport Minister Norman Baker said: "We are providing £3 billion to councils for road maintenance over the next four years, an additional £6 million for longer term strategies and providing an extra £200 million to repair potholes."