BCC urges UK to revamp antiquated infrastructure.

Britain’s Infrastructure Crisis & the BCC’s Bold Call to Action

Why the roads, rails, and power grids are more than just a bumpy ride for business

What the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Are Saying

Roads & Railway Revamp: “We need more lanes, smarter trains, and electrification where it matters most.”
Regional Projects & Grid Upgrades: “Get the locals high‑speed and the power lines stronger so that businesses can do their thing.”
Business‑Centred Planning: “Governments must listen, plan long‑term, and keep those pesky ‘policy flips’ out of the equation.”

The Report That Clicks With Every Industry

Crafted by the BCC’s Local Economy of the Future Challenge Group, this report compiles sharp insights from chambers, SMEs, and industry giants alike. It warns that the inevitable Infrastructure and Planning Bill should be built around business interests, stirring a much‑needed confidence boost after the hiccup in the final stages of HS2.

How the Bill Can Get On the Fast Track

Introduce long‑term policy stability so firms can trust the roadmap for investment.
Boost the planning workforce by recruiting 100 extra planners into local authorities—because no one likes bottlenecks.

Eye‑Opening Numbers from BCC Research

Here’s the 3‑finger‑high snapshot:

62% of business leaders say they’re shorthanded on the skills front, climbing to 74% in manufacturing and construction.
66% feel their voice goes unheard in local infrastructure decisions—rising to a staggering 81% when it comes to national plans.
Only 38% of company leaders think their local bus and tram networks are “just about fine” (a league of their own for a 62% disappointment rate).

Shevaun Haviland on the Real Story of UK Infrastructure

“Picture a long‑tangled yarn that’s been consistently rewound—projects that get canceled, bust budgets, or stretch budgets beyond belief.”

“The ghost of HS2 still looms. Businesses now toss their hats in the apathy bowl—why plan if you might be pulled back halfway?”

“You’re missing three things: a coherent national strategy, energized planners, and a legal approach that doesn’t bind your feet too tight.”

“To glam up construction and push economic growth, we fix these potholes. Then industrial confidence can stride forward, and we’ll make the next decade a boom‑zone, not a buffer.”

Plan, Build, and Repeat—A Call to Action

FCC and our fellow planners, engineers, and business leaders are calling—Let’s not get stuck in the ‘wait’ mode. We need reforms, fast and furious, to keep the UK on the competitive curve.”