In December 1999, the UK's Deputy Prime Minister announced the Government's commitment to a large increase in investment to transform the British transport system during the next decade. To achieve this objective, the Government must implement a major investment programme following its Spending Review 2000. This report shows in what ways British investment in roads and local transport needs to differ from the past, to meet targets for congestion reduction, safety and environment protection. It assesses Britain's transport needs, discusses how investment will be funded, presents an action plan, and considers how much money needs to be invested and how the investment will be delivered. The action plan covers the following main areas: (1) repair and maintenance of roads, bridges, railway track, and tunnels; (2) improving transport operations; (3) providing high-quality public transport, walking, and cycling alternatives to the car and the lorry; (4) types of targeted road improvements that are needed; and (5) changed methods of financing road and transport. In 1975, the UK invested £12,000M in roads and transport at present prices, twice today's level despite its much smaller economy. This annual investment must rise from £6000M in 1999 to £9000M in 2003-04 to £12,000M by 2007-08.
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