9 May 2007

QPA Slams Government Road Investment Shortfalls

The Quarry Products Association, the principal trade association for the sector, has today released data highlighting the extent to which Government has reduced investment in the maintenance and improvement of the road network. Asphalt sales fell by another 5% in the first quarter, which was preceded by an 8% decline recorded in sales volumes in 2006.

The Figures:

The QPA's Director General said: "the continuing decline in asphalt sales is hard evidence of declining investment in our road networks. Since 2000 we have had the ten year transport plan and numerous official statements about the need to invest in our roads and transport networks. In reality there has been a complete failure in policy delivery. The national roads programme is progressing at a snail's pace, and local authorities are denied the resources to properly maintain local roads. The recent ALARM survey identified a £1 billion shortfall in funds for local highway maintenance work in England and Wales, and the general lack of investment suggests that road spending may be being held back deliberately in anticipation of the outcome of Government's Comprehensive Spending Review. This is a completely unsustainable long-term approach to our transport infrastructure."

The other QPA results for the first quarter indicated modest improvements in aggregates and ready mixed concrete sales, reflecting the continuing growth in non - transport construction activity.

ENDS

For more information please contact Tim Parry by tel: 0207 9638000 or e-mail parry@qpa.org, www.qpa.org

The Quarry Products Association is the principal trade association representing the UK aggregates industry. Our members produce over 90% of aggregates extracted - sand and gravel and crushed rock - as well as silica sand, recycled aggregates, agricultural and industrial lime, asphalt, mortar, and ready-mixed concrete.

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