Forth crossing must go ahead, says BCC

REPLACING the Forth road bridge must be one of the priorities in next week's comprehensive spending review (CSR), according to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

In its submission to the Treasury ahead of the CSR, the business group identified 12 "productivity-enhancing transport schemes" that it believes should be prioritised.

BCC director-general David Frost said: "Businesses recognise the restraints that the UK government is operating under, but by focusing on a pro-growth agenda the CSR can act as a catalyst for private sector investment and growth.

"The UK government should use this as an opportunity to target funding on particular projects that the business community says will stimulate further private sector activity.

"This means specific transport upgrades, investment in our digital infrastructure, enhancement to the planning process and an increase in the budget for trade promotion."

Other transport projects highlighted include London's CrossRail project, East Coast Main Line work in Yorkshire and the M4 relief road in Wales.

The BCC also called for greater support for exporters, including a short-term export credit guarantee scheme and a refocussing of how trade agency UKTI measures its achievements, calculating the growth of sales and employment rather than the number of companies helped.