Intelligent infrastructure 'needed for UK roads'

Date: 12/4/2010

While the use of systems such as hard shoulder running and managed motorways may help to tackle congestion in the short term, there is a need for the development of an "intelligent infrastructure" for the future, it has been claimed.

Jo Tanner, director of communications at the Freight Transport Association, spoke today to welcome the government's commitment to rail freight capacity improvements should they win the forthcoming general election. She also noted that organisation welcomes plans for road capacity improvements.

However, Ms Tanner added that the organisation continues to be concerned that only short-term solutions to transport infrastructure problems are being proposed.

"Intelligent infrastructure investment is needed if we are to meet the ongoing capacity and environmental challenges," she said, noting that a "sticking plaster" solution to this issue will not prove effective.

The FTA does believe, however, that the use of hard-shoulder running will help to reduce congestion on the country's motorways in the short term.