Conjestion hits businesses

Congestion on the region’s roads is hitting companies harder than ever, according to one the region’s leading business organisations.

A new survey from the Confederation of West Midlands Chambers of Commerce, which speaks for around 13,500 businesses across the region, found road congestion was a problem for 92 per cent of West Midlands firms.

Nearly half (45 per cent) have lost business while almost 90 per cent have seen their operating costs shoot up. Four out of ten also said an inadequate transport network has limited the ability to expand their businesses.

David Burton, chairman of the confederation, said: “The region’s businesses continue to be heavily reliant on the road network, but congestion and delays are costing them billions of pounds a year.

“They need reliable and predictable journey times for the movement of people and goods but they are not getting that from the roads or from public transport and it is a problem that will only get worse unless drastic measures are taken.”

The survey showed 85 per cent of West Midlands companies rely heavily on the road network compared to a national average of 75 per cent.

More than 60 per cent do not see current public transport, as a viable alternative to the road network, although eight out of ten said if reliability and punctuality improved they would use it more often.

Nearly 70 per cent said cheaper fares and better discounts would also persuade them on to buses and trains. Ninety-four per cent said more investment is needed in public transport now.

The morning school run is seen to be one of the main causes of congestion on local roads, although the survey also says the sheer volume of traffic is responsible for delays on A-roads, trunk roads and motorways.

Mr Burton added: “There is definitely a willingness there from the business community to use public transport, but only if it is up to the high standards we see elsewhere in the UK and Europe.

“High prices are just as much a concern as punctuality and this is something the operators should be looking at as a matter of urgency.

“The announcement that rail passengers face an above the inflation rate rise in rail prices from January flies in the face of these concerns.

“In the survey there was also evidence that businesses are keen to use rail freight as an alternative to road haulage, which would obviously help clear the roads, but they are discouraged by difficulties in taking advantage of these alternatives.

“To ease these problems, we urge the government to commit to a 30 year national integrated transport strategy which addresses years of under-investment in the West Midlands’ transport network which lies at the heart of the UK’s transport network.”

It is important the government commits to a many-pronged strategy that seeks to promote the use of public transport where relevant, but also addressed serious capacity issues across the region’s road network.

“Businesses will welcome the news that Active Traffic Management is to be extended around the Midlands’ motorway network, but ultimately the government will need to consider widening some of the region’s most important motorways, including the M6.”