Member Article

Yorkshire business concerns about infrastructure shortcomings

Yorkshire businesses fear that failing infrastructure and the lack of attention by government to alleviate the problem will snuff out the fragile recovery in the region.

According to KPMG’s Connect More report the outward looking area is gravely concerned about its performance as a national commercial player and international exporter being disastrously punctured by services and networks it relies upon to stay competitive not being fit for purpose.

The majority of companies polled are especially worried about being compromised by poor road and rail links - with decline reported and further regression predicted

Richard Threlfall, KPMG’s Yorkshire-based UK head of infrastructure, said: “The state of infrastructure in Yorkshire is not a theoretical debate. It is about the bottom line profitability and international competitiveness of the region’s businesses. It is about transport networks that get supplies in and products delivered on time, energy supply that is dependable at lowest cost and digital networks that offer fast connectivity anytime, anywhere.

“The business verdict is that our infrastructure is not up to scratch here. It is disappointing to hear companies report once again a sense that there are more fine words than action. Of particular concern is dissatisfaction with transport, with the local road network judged by four in five businesses to have deteriorated in the last five years.

“Rail scores no better with 54% anticipating inter-city rail will decline over the next five years, underlining the importance of the timely delivery of the Northern Hub and electrification of the Transpennine route.

“Local businesses are competing each and every day in the global market, and we need to be investing now in building great infrastructure, in this region and UK-wide, to help our entrepreneurial efforts. We know what good looks like – we need to get on and build it.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by David Gatehouse .