FTA warns of catastrophic road repair plan

Leaving London’s roads without repairs and maintenance for the next two years could have catastrophic effects on the ability businesses to keep everyone supplied with the goods and services they need, according to the Freight Transport Association.

It said an announcement by the London Mayor of a two-year freeze on non-essential road repairs could cause damage and delays which will have a disastrous impact on the capital’s ongoing financial profitability.

“London cannot function if its roads do not work. It takes 400 thousand tonnes of goods every day to keep the Capital working,” said Natalie Chapman, head of urban policy.

“But the cost of transporting these keeps increasing as congestion gets worse and restrictions on commercial vehicles are extended, with the introduction of the new Direct Vision Standard and Ultra-Low Emission Zone. Now we are told non-essential road maintenance is to be abandoned for two years, this is bad news for costs, congestion, emissions and safety.”