Cameron announces plans to sell off Britain's roads

England's major roads could be taken over by private firms under plans to boost infrastructure spending Credit: David Jones/PA Wire

David Cameron has announced plans to invite private firms to invest in Britain's infrastructure.

In a speech to the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Prime Minister said road congestion is costing Britain £7 billion per year and that good infrastructure "will pay for itself".

Cameron added that no existing road in the UK would be subjected to a toll.

Emma Murphy went to one of the most congested parts of Britain to look at ways of keeping our roads moving.

The government's plans have been criticised by Ed Miliband who said it was "wrong" to put an extra burden on families and business.

The A14 in Felixstowe, Suffolk, has been highlighted by the Prime Minister as one road that could benefit from the government's plans.

David Cameron earlier said that water companies are controlled by private firms so why should public money support Britain's roads.

The Prime Minister may have difficulty in selling off Britain's roads, however, with ITV News' Senior Political Correspondent Chris Ship saying that the attraction for private firms is not obvious.

However, investment may come from an unlikely source, with the Chinese state having recently bought into Britain's infrastructure after purchasing shares in Thames Water.

Are Britain's roads congested?

  • 3 - London is the third most congested city in Europe - finishing behind Brussels (1st) and Warsaw (2nd)

  • 16 - The number of UK cities in the top 50 most gridlocked places in Europe

  • 123 million - The number of working hours lost per year due to traffic delays