Call to change commuting practices

15 March 2010

Flexible work patterns and changes to commuting practices needs to be introduced to ease congestion on the roads in the future, the CBI has said.

The business group suggested that "staggered" travel due to flexible start times, car sharing and working from home would help avoid traffic jams.

It also supported the use of more American-style yellow school buses to reduce school-run congestion.

According to the CBI report, most road investment should focus on existing congestion trouble spots, while private investment should be used to improve the network more generally.

The report said road pricing should be considered and it promoted the introduction of tolls on new lanes on motorways and A-roads.

As many as 80% of companies admitted roads are "vital" to their business during a survey, while 96% said they would like the next government to think afresh and tackle rush-hour congestion as a matter of priority.

CBI deputy director-general John Cridland said: "The CBI would like to see policymakers put the same amount of energy and vision into roads as they are doing on high-speed rail."

A Department for Transport spokesman said: "Adding extra capacity where it is most needed will deliver safer, faster and more reliable journeys for motorists."

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