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Jam today but still no money
Page 10
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• UK hauliers have to contend with the worst jams in Europe coupled with one of the lowest levels of public spending on transport projects, according to a new report.
The Commission for Integrated Transport's study reveals that two generations of financial neglect has left the UK with the highest road congestion in Europe, the second most intensely used road network and in the bottom six of countries when it comes to investment in transport infrastructure.
"This report holds no surprises for the haulage industry," says an FTA spokesman. "It proves that our hauliers are losing out in competitiveness with Europe. It also shows that they are getting a double whammy of high transport taxes not being used to improve a poor transport infrastructure."
Professor David Begg, the chair of the commission, says the report shows that the country has a "mountain to climb" to get the transport network it deserves.
"The decisions we take now and the levels of investment that we attach to them in the government's 10-year transport plan will determine where we end up."
The report reveals that only in the area of road safety can the UK feel proud. It has the lowest death toll in the European Union, less than half that of France and Italy.
• See page Band Common:, page 8.