smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

Cash flow conundrums

As an owner-manager, seeing your cash flow steadily dwindle can...
Have your say »

RSS

Business group wants more from congestion relief

Jul 17 2008

Business group wants more from congestion relief

Email a friend

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is not satisfied with Ruth Kelly's plans for reducing congestion on British roads.

Under Kelly's proposals, up to 500 miles of motorway hard shoulders could be opened up to general traffic to help to ease jams.

However, director general of the BCC David Frost comments that while the change was a 'positive move' it cannot be seen as a 'long term solution' to what he describes as a decrepit road network.

Frost says: 'We need extra capacity and that means improving road infrastructure.'

'The government has to show a bit more creative thinking on this issue,' he adds, claiming that congestion costs British firms £17 billion a year.

Kelly, the transport secretary, has also invited private companies to come up with innovative ideas to shape the network and ease traffic jams.

According to officials, the government is also considering making these extra lanes toll roads.

Comments

There are currently no comments on this article

Prize Draw

Smallbusiness.co.uk has teamed up with Avery® Quick&Clean™ Business Cards to offer five lucky readers the chance to win a copy of BBC Dragons' Den James Caan's new book The Real Deal and a pack of Avery® premium heavyweight business cards. To enter the prize draw, simply answer our question here

Polls

Latest News

Companies should be wary of rising fraud

Businesses should educate themselves on how to protect against fraud, especially from 'sophisticated' internet criminals.

Brown: Banks should pass on cut

Prime minister Gordon Brown is urging British banks to pass on the one percentage point interest rate cut to help businesses trying to get loans.

Interest rates slashed again

The Bank of England has announced another aggressive rate cut, reducing the base rate from three to two per cent.

Fit notes 'will not work'

The recent government move for staff to have fit notes will not work nor give increased flexibility for employers, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) says.

Businesses criticise rate increases

Companies are in uproar about plans to allow councils to increase business rates by two pence in the pound to pay for local development projects.

Internet saves £418 million in compliance

Companies have saved £418 million a year on employment law, as the administration cost of compliance is reduced with online tools.

Mandelson unveils £30 million tech fund

Technology firms who want to expand their business and raise equity finance of up to £2 million have been given access to £30 million in a new technology fund.

London firms get £23 million

Mayor of London Boris Johnson has welcomed a package of £23 million to help small to medium-sized businesses in the capital.

More EIB funding available to SMEs

The Bank of Scotland intends to make £250 million of funds available to SMEs in the next two weeks.

Now is the 'ideal time' for marketing

Consumers will be more open to direct marketing in the current economic climate as they are looking for more information before making a purchase, an expert states.

Data loss still a problem for SMEs

Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) rank backup as one of the highest computing priorities but half of these companies have experienced a loss, new research shows.

Guides & Tips

Redundancy is not the only option

Many SMEs will have to control staffing costs over the coming months. Smallbusiness.co.uk has teamed up with Simon Kite, a partner at chartered accountants Saffery Champness, to offer some tips on how to cut costs and avoid the redundancy route

What benefits do staff want?

 Oval Financial Services’ Debby Hannaford explores how focus groups and surveys can be used to gain constructive and positive feedback about employee benefits packages

Automated hacking

What do the Sony Playstation game ‘SingStar Pop’ and the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) have in common?

Don't Miss

Five ways to boost your online Christmas Sales

The decorations are up, festive songs are playing and shoppers are looking increasingly harassed. Yuletide is here. Read our guide on how to maximise your online sales for the Christmas countdown

Sweet success: Charlotte and Lynne Fudge

After finishing her degree Charlotte Fudge started mail order biscuits company Biccies with her mum last year. The company recently became profitable and has a turnover of £75,000.

Don't let age be a barrier

Margaret Wood started her engineering company ICW UK, which makes high-tech windows and windscreens, at the age of 46. Based in Yorkshire the 61-year-old entrepreneur received a Women Inventors in Industry award in 2003. Her company has a turnover of £400,000

Store

FT Guide to Personal Tax

Formerly the Lloyds TSB Tax Guide, the FT Guide to Personal Tax is now published by Pearson Education. Written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc and Jonquil Lowe, this unique guide gives step-by-step advice to completing your tax return as well as 100 tax-saving tips.

FT Guide to Business Start Up

Formerly the Lloyds TSB Small Business Guide, the FT Guide to Business Start Up is now published by Pearson Education. Written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc, this unique guide has sold over two million copies. It offers practical advice about starting and running your own business.

Growth Company Investor

Growth Company Investor is widely recognised as the leading magazine for investors interested in AIM and smallcap companies. Published 10 times per year, and brought to you by an award-winning analyst team, it offers subscribers unrivalled insight into high-potential smaller companies. Subscribe today with a 50% discount in your first year.