The government's ten-year transport plan is "heavily skewed towards rail passengers", who receive 40 per cent of all public money earmarked for transport, yet people on the lowest incomes rarely use trains, according to a report from the RAC Foundation.

Forum Response: Construction Products Association

Chris Bennett, external affairs executive, at the Construction Products Association, told ePolitix.com: "Compared to the rest of Europe, the UK has suffered from historic under-investment in both its roads and railway networks.

"For example in 1994, out of all of the EU states, the UK came second last in terms of transport infrastructure investment.

"The government must ensure that it does not rob Peter to pay Paul. If additional spending is required to address the backlog of repair on the railways, this should not be taken from the roads budget.

"Both modes of transport are vital to the economic success of the UK and need to be given funding accordingly."

Forum Response: Institute of Directors

A spokesperson from the Institute of Directors 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 take the tough political decisions that are required to provide the UK with the transport infrastructure it deserves."

Forum Response: Corporation of London

Michael Snyder, chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee at the Corporation of London, said:  "The findings of the new report by the British Chambers of Commerce come as no surprise. 

"City firms consistently tell us that improving the transportation system should be policy-makers' highest priority.

"In July 2003, the Corporation of London funded research into the costs of transport delays in the Capital, and the lack of capacity and the unreliability of the system was conservatively estimated to cost £230 million a year. 

"If London is to grow and develop, and produce even more wealth for the rest of the country and the economy, more money needs to be spent on its crumbling Victorian infrastructure."