RHA expects to hold a parliamentary reception for its coach operator members and industry stakeholders during 2025, Managing Director Richard Smith has said. He was speaking at the trade body’s reception at the Palace of Westminster on 21 January to mark publication of its vision for investment in the strategic road network, The Future of Roads Report.
Such a coach-specific gathering was planned for 2024 but stymied by the unexpected early general election, Mr Smith tells routeone. Coach operator representatives from Anthony’s Travel, Jason Edwards Travel and Mil-Ken Travel joined the 21 January event, as did suppliers.
Minister for the Future of Roads Lilian Greenwood MP (pictured, below) was keynote speaker. She told guests that the forthcoming Roads Investment Strategy 3 (RIS3) is set to major on connectivity, reliability and environmental impact.
Chairperson Moreton Cullimore says that RHA will continue to raise awareness of issues that its members face and present “a unified voice” of coach and HGV operators in that process.
Describing the strategic road network as being in a poor state, Mr Cullimore adds that cancellation of some high-profile projects is “a concern” against a background of how their completion would deliver more economic value than the cost of those works. RHA is thus calling for an “ambitious plan for road investment in the Spending Review,” he continues.
In addition to investment in the strategic road network, the trade body also seeks reform of planning policy. It is critical of the time needed to gain consent for major projects, which is claims to have escalated to an average of 4.2 years. That sits adjacent to an increasing number of road projects that are subject to successful legal challenge.
“We call upon the government to be ambitious in the way in which major infrastructure schemes receive consent,” the report says, noting how strong investment will deliver economic growth and “allow British businesses to thrive.”
Ms Greenwood told the reception that reluctance among some insurers to cover young drivers of large vehicles is under scrutiny. While the government cannot intervene directly, she says it will ensure that sufficient data is present to allow them to quote realistically.
The reception was sponsored by Chair of the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee Bill Esterson MP. He acknowledges the challenges faced by some parts of road transport on the decarbonisation journey although observes that others are making good progress.
In that vein, the RHA report is seeking designated funding within RIS3 to improve driver facilities and “equip them for the future by delivering the green infrastructure that the industry needs to decarbonise.”
Download The Future of Roads Report via the RHA website.
