Road transport critical to achieving growth, RHA tells Treasury spending review

The Spending Review is the first to be carried out since 2021 and will define the government's spending limits for the next five years.  The RHA's submission argues that growth cannot be achieved without a strong and resilient road transport sector. It points to the GBP13.5bn that the sector contributes annually, accounting for 5.6% of GDP, and calls for continued investment in infrastructure, facilities, skills, and towards the cost of the sector's transition to net zero, to ensure a secure and efficient supply chain.

The submission also notes that, since 2010, employment in road transport and storage has grown by 26%, far outpacing the 14% growth across the wider economy, and highlights how investment in infrastructure, skills, and facilities is crucial to maintaining and building on this contribution in the years ahead. Richard Smith, RHA managing director, said: "Our submission to HM Treasury makes it clear that a thriving road transport sector is crucial to the UK's economic success. "We've clearly highlighted key areas for investment and we're calling on the Government to prioritise investment in key infrastructure projects, roadside facilities, skills development and on net zero to future-proof our vital sector and ensure that we can play our part in delivering the growth the nation needs."

RHA has set out four key areas for priority investment, which are infrastructure, roadside facilities, skills and net zero. The submission calls on government to prioritise investment in road infrastructure through the upcoming Road Investment Strategy Three, to reduce congestion, improve productivity, and futureproof the economy. The association also wants to see investment in local roads too, pointing out that potholes currently cost the economy GBP14bn annually.

RHA is also lobbying for further investment in roadside facilities for HGV drivers, particularly in areas of high lorry parking demand and high freight crime rates and is calling for them to be recognised as essential transport infrastructure to ensure the smooth operation of the supply chain and to support the welfare of drivers. Skills training provision is also a key demand in RHA's submission, with a call for shorter courses and bootcamps for HGV drivers and longer training programmes for technicians, such as apprenticeships. The submission also recognises the "significant opportunities" for growth within the sector provided by net zero.

However, it warns that the decarbonisation of road freight will require major investment and support for businesses to adapt to the changes and asks for government to prioritise measures that reduce the costs of decarbonisation.