Secretary calls for long-term strategy

22 July 2009

The transport secretary has stressed the importance of long-term strategic thinking, while warning that ‘constrained finances’ should not hold back the nation’s ambition.

Lord Adonis said the UK needed a ‘thoroughly modern transport system’ in order to be a ‘thoroughly modern country’, and that he and prime minister Gordon Brown were ‘absolutely committed’ to the high-speed rail plans.

In an interview with the Independent newspaper, Lord Adonis said: ‘The bane of infrastructure planning has been the failure to think long term.

‘High-speed rail is a long-term project. The fact that we have constrained finances for the next few years shouldn’t lead us to constrain our ambition.’

Register now for full access

Register just once to get unrestricted, real-time coverage of the issues and challenges facing UK transport and highways engineers.

Full website content includes the latest news, exclusive commentary from leading industry figures and detailed topical analysis of the highways, transportation, environment and place-shaping sectors. Use the link below to register your details for full, free access.

Already a registered? Login