A survey by the Institute of Directors has found that 70 per cent of business people would support traffic tolls if it was accompanied by investment in the roads.

Of those surveyed, 75 per cent supported more runway capacity in the South East of England, while 80 per cent believed that the decision to place Railtrack into administration would damage private investment in public services.

Forum Response: Institute of Directors

Graeme Leach, chief economist at the IoD, told ePolitix.com: "We have the world's fourth largest economy with an inadequate transport system to match. Our members want to see the government use its huge parliamentary majority in order to take the tough political decisions that are required."

Forum Response: Construction Products Association

Jean Emblin, external affairs director at the Construction Products Association, told ePolitix.com: "The IoD's survey highlights particular issues of concern to the construction products industry.

"As the largest mover of road freight by volume, the construction products industry bears a significant cost burden in respect of the structure and level of road haulage taxation. The Association has long believed that the present system of road haulage taxation places an excessive and inequitable burden on UK manufacturing and has called for a wide-ranging review of the overall level and purpose of transport taxation.

"Turning to extra road capacity, the Association is concerned that, following the Transport Committee's recent report, the government is now suggesting that the Ten Year Plan will be revised in the summer in order to set easier targets.

"There is also some suggestion that there will be an increasing focus on smaller scale local schemes at the expense of more difficult strategic schemes - a somewhat 'patch and make good' approach which will fail to deliver a strategic and integrated solution to the country's serious transport problems.

"What we need to see are clearer output targets for all key areas of expenditure, with interim targets to enable effective monitoring and a mechanism to expedite the completion of the Multi Modal studies, which are vital in setting the priorities for future spending and identifying where extra road capacity is required."

Forum Response: Freedom to Fly

A spokesman for Freedom to Fly told ePolitix.com: "The IoD report confirms that business people are convinced there is a need for more UK aviation capacity in the coming decade. Aviation already sustains over half a million jobs. But it is also crucial to inward investment, tourism and the competitiveness of the wider economy.

"The importance of air travel links for business, jobs and the economy is an issue that must be addressed in the government's forthcoming Aviation White paper. If we are to remain the world's fourth biggest economy we must have a transport structure to match."

Forum Response: Virgin Trains

A spokesman for Virgin Trains told ePolitix.com: "We are currently in the middle of delivering a £4 billion investment in the rail system, and based on past track records, we expect to increase our market share."

Forum Response: British Airways

A spokesman for British Airways told ePolitix.com: "We need to ensure that there is adequate airport infrastructure in the South East if the UK is not to lose out to continental europe where airport facilities at Paris CDG, Amsterdam and Frankfurt have been developing.

"Without more aviation capacity, the result will be more delays, higher prices and less choice for the public. Jobs, business, tourism and the UK economy will also suffer."