CIHT urges government to protect strategic transport investment alongside increased defence spending

The Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) has called on the UK Government to maintain strategic transport investment alongside increased defence spending, arguing that transport infrastructure should be treated as a national asset rather than a competing priority.

image: CIHT

The announcement comes on the back of government plans to increase defence investment and concerns within the transport sector that planned infrastructure spending could face reductions as public finances come under pressure. CIHT said decisions on transport funding should consider the wider economic, social, environmental and security benefits delivered by infrastructure networks.

CIHT said a reliable transport system supports economic growth, supply chains, employment access, community resilience and national security. It highlighted the role of roads, bridges and wider transport connections in supporting both civilian economic activity and military mobility, particularly during periods of heightened security requirements.

CIHT Chief Executive Sue Percy CBE said, “CIHT recognises the need for increased defence investment, but transport infrastructure should not be seen as an alternative to defence spending.” She added that modern transport networks are “critical national assets” supporting economic growth, connectivity and national resilience.

Percy also said long-term certainty over transport funding was important for infrastructure owners, local authorities and the wider supply chain. She argued that stable investment pipelines allow organisations to plan effectively, develop skills, support innovation and deliver better value for money.

Percy’s comments come as the Government reviews transport priorities and infrastructure spending commitments, including elements of the third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3). She said potential reductions or delays to planned schemes should be assessed against their longer-term economic and strategic impacts rather than short-term financial savings alone.

CIHT says it will continue to engage with government and industry partners to highlight the strategic role of transport infrastructure and the need for investment decisions to consider long-term national objectives.