Scotland's �dilapidated� transport network is costing the economy billions of pounds a year, inhibiting investment and preventing expansion, according to a survey of leading business leaders.
Scotland's "dilapidated" transport network is costing the economy billions of pounds a year, inhibiting investment and preventing expansion, according to a survey of leading business leaders.
The Scottish Chambers of Commerce has called on the Scottish Government to announce which major projects will get approval, and for the UK Government to establish a high-speed rail link connecting Scotland with London.
The survey showed 70% of Scottish businesses claiming the UK transport network did not fully meet their needs.
Another 43% said it limited their ability to expand, and almost 70% said lack of quality transport infrastructure was inhibiting inward investment to Scotland.
The report carried out by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) argued the country's road and rail transport network was still built around its Victorian structures and needs a long-term strategy to bring it up to the required standard.
Across Britain it is estimated, by the chambers, that poor transport infrastructure costs business £23.2bn a year, hitting individual businesses by £17,000 each in increased operating costs and lost man hours.
Eight out of 10 Scottish businesses said congestion on national trunk roads was a problem and almost nine out of 10 said traffic jams on regional roads affected trade, with the volume of traffic on motorways thought to be the main problem for 72% of firms.
Liz Cameron, chief executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: "This UK-wide survey helps to put in context the particular transport issues facing Scotland.
"Over 70% of Scottish businesses believe that the current state of the country's transport infrastructure does not fully meet their business needs, with over half of firms reporting that road congestion is a significant problem.
"Against this background, we are still awaiting the delayed publication of the Scottish Government's Strategic Transport Projects review, and this cannot arrive too soon for our members' needs. The survey also reveals that the majority of Scottish businesses favour the creation of a new high-speed rail network linking Scotland with London and other major UK cities."
Rail transport is a growing necessity for many Scottish businesses and high-speed rail would deliver over £7bn of economic benefits within Scotland. It is essential that government earmarks this as a transport priority.
"The importance of air transport to Scotland is also underlined, with 58% of firms stating that links to Heathrow Airport are important to their business.
"This demonstrates the clear need for further investment at Heathrow to secure slots for Scotland to London air services."
The survey found support from 72% of companies for road pricing if improvements were carried out first, and almost all, 95%, believed improvements took too long as a result of an over-bureaucratic planning and design system. The BCC called for major projects to be brought forward, to help cope with the current economic downturn, and repeated calls for high-speed rail and a decision on a third runway at Heathrow.
David Frost, director general of the BCC, said: "This survey highlights the need for a long-term strategy that is prepared to take drastic action to improve and upgrade our dilapidated transport networks.
"High-profile projects such as the third runway at Heathrow and a new high-speed railway must happen. Passengers and road users are becoming more infuriated as their journeys become longer and more costly.
"If the UK is to maintain its position in the world it must invest in its infrastructure. A first-rate country cannot operate with a third-rate network."
