This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-politics-17423693

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Private cash needed to boost roads network, says David Cameron Private cash needed to boost roads network, says David Cameron
(40 minutes later)
David Cameron is expected to call for much more private investment in England's road network.David Cameron is expected to call for much more private investment in England's road network.
The prime minister will say road tolls are one option, alongside attracting more money from sovereign wealth funds.The prime minister will say road tolls are one option, alongside attracting more money from sovereign wealth funds.
More work is needed to relieve gridlock by widening "pinch points" and allowing traffic to use the hard shoulder on motorways, he will say in a speech.More work is needed to relieve gridlock by widening "pinch points" and allowing traffic to use the hard shoulder on motorways, he will say in a speech.
It comes as a poll suggests only 2% of people think he is living up to his "greenest government ever" pledge.It comes as a poll suggests only 2% of people think he is living up to his "greenest government ever" pledge.
In a speech on infrastructure, Mr Cameron will say there is an urgent need to repair its "decades-long degradation" and to "build for the future with as much confidence and ambition as the Victorians once did".In a speech on infrastructure, Mr Cameron will say there is an urgent need to repair its "decades-long degradation" and to "build for the future with as much confidence and ambition as the Victorians once did".
Traffic jamsTraffic jams
He will argue it is clear there is not enough capacity on the roads in busy areas.He will argue it is clear there is not enough capacity on the roads in busy areas.
"There's nothing green about a traffic jam - and gridlock holds the economy back," he will say, according to pre-released extracts from the speech."There's nothing green about a traffic jam - and gridlock holds the economy back," he will say, according to pre-released extracts from the speech.
Part of the solution was to move more people and goods onto the rail network, Mr Cameron will say, "but also to widen pinch points, add lanes to motorways by using the hard shoulder to increase capacity and dual overcrowded A-roads".Part of the solution was to move more people and goods onto the rail network, Mr Cameron will say, "but also to widen pinch points, add lanes to motorways by using the hard shoulder to increase capacity and dual overcrowded A-roads".
But, at a time when government finances are tight, the prime minister will say "innovative approaches" are needed to finance road improvements.But, at a time when government finances are tight, the prime minister will say "innovative approaches" are needed to finance road improvements.
"Road tolling is one option - but we are only considering this for new, not existing, capacity. For example, we're looking at how improvements to the A14 could be part-funded through tolling."Road tolling is one option - but we are only considering this for new, not existing, capacity. For example, we're looking at how improvements to the A14 could be part-funded through tolling.
"But we now need to be more ambitious. Why is it that other infrastructure - for example water - is funded by private sector capital through privately owned, independently regulated, utilities... but roads in Britain call on the public finances for funding?"But we now need to be more ambitious. Why is it that other infrastructure - for example water - is funded by private sector capital through privately owned, independently regulated, utilities... but roads in Britain call on the public finances for funding?
"We need to look urgently at the options for getting large-scale private investment into the national roads network - from sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, and other investors.""We need to look urgently at the options for getting large-scale private investment into the national roads network - from sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, and other investors."
'Black Wednesday''Black Wednesday'
A feasibility study looking at "new ownership and financing models" for roads will be carried out by the Treasury and Department of Transport, to report back by the autumn.A feasibility study looking at "new ownership and financing models" for roads will be carried out by the Treasury and Department of Transport, to report back by the autumn.
Meanwhile a YouGov poll commissioned by Greenpeace and the RSPB, has suggested the coalition has not persuaded people it is living up to Mr Cameron's pledge to be the "greenest government ever".Meanwhile a YouGov poll commissioned by Greenpeace and the RSPB, has suggested the coalition has not persuaded people it is living up to Mr Cameron's pledge to be the "greenest government ever".
The poll of more than 1,700 adults across the UK found just 2% of people asked - and no Lib Dem voters among them - thought it was meeting the promise, and only 4% believed current rules protecting the environment were too strong.The poll of more than 1,700 adults across the UK found just 2% of people asked - and no Lib Dem voters among them - thought it was meeting the promise, and only 4% believed current rules protecting the environment were too strong.
The majority of people - 53% - believed its green credentials were about average, while 7% believed it was the least green government ever.The majority of people - 53% - believed its green credentials were about average, while 7% believed it was the least green government ever.
Mike Clarke, chief executive of the RSPB, said this week's Budget had the potential to be a "Black Wednesday for the environment".Mike Clarke, chief executive of the RSPB, said this week's Budget had the potential to be a "Black Wednesday for the environment".
He said: "Given his understandable need to create jobs and growth, the chancellor has allowed himself to be led by anecdote from business and development interests rather than meaningful evidence on the needs of the British economy.He said: "Given his understandable need to create jobs and growth, the chancellor has allowed himself to be led by anecdote from business and development interests rather than meaningful evidence on the needs of the British economy.
"There is no evidence whatsoever to suggest protection of the environment is a barrier to economic growth but plenty to suggest smart regulation is actually a stimulus to growth.""There is no evidence whatsoever to suggest protection of the environment is a barrier to economic growth but plenty to suggest smart regulation is actually a stimulus to growth."
The government ran into much opposition last year when it published its draft proposals to shake up the planning system, making it less complex but also to introduce a "presumption in favour of sustainable development".The government ran into much opposition last year when it published its draft proposals to shake up the planning system, making it less complex but also to introduce a "presumption in favour of sustainable development".
National Trust chairman Simon Jenkins said on Sunday it had been a "bad document" which effectively moved the planning system to a "building permits system".National Trust chairman Simon Jenkins said on Sunday it had been a "bad document" which effectively moved the planning system to a "building permits system".
But Chancellor George Osborne told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show that new planning rules would be published this week "which will make it a lot easier for things to get built in this country, while protecting our precious environment".But Chancellor George Osborne told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show that new planning rules would be published this week "which will make it a lot easier for things to get built in this country, while protecting our precious environment".
John Cridland, the director general of the business organisation the CBI, told the BBC's Sunday Politics that this week's Budget had to "deliver growth" - and should target investment in infrastructure and small businesses.John Cridland, the director general of the business organisation the CBI, told the BBC's Sunday Politics that this week's Budget had to "deliver growth" - and should target investment in infrastructure and small businesses.
Would more private investment be good for England's road network? Send your comments and experiences using the form below.