Roadbuilders have welcomed deputy prime minister John Prescott's announcement this week of a 10-year plan for transport.Virgin is set to mount a £3bn bid to take over the East Coast Main Line and upgrade it to take 140mph tilting trains.
The British Road Federation, which represents roadbuilders and users, was pleased with the promise to build more bypasses. A spokesman said it would compile a list of 20 that needed construction urgently and present it to transport minister Lord MacDonald.
Prescott promised that £80bn, including private cash, would be spent on transport in the next decade, but the BRF noted that little new investment was involved. But Prescott did commit to more light rail projects.
Last week, Andrew Smith, chief secretary to the Treasury, hinted that the Treasury was keen to fund more transport projects in the next comprehensive spending review.
