Construction Equipment Association welcomes Budget measures

The 7474 Construction Equipment Association (CEA) has welcomed some of the measures in this week's UK Budget, including the pre-announced commitment of around £30bn for roads repair and maintenance.

CEA chief executive Rob Oliver said that, overall, Chancellor Philip Hammond's Budget speech brought some good news on the 'Three Is' - investment allowances, infrastructure spending and industrial strategy support.

In addition to being good news for motorists, Oliver said the road repair funding will provide an additional boost to the plant hire sector. "The hope is that the money will be invested in machines and methods which make those repairs effective long term – not just commissioning low cost, short-term, sticking plaster solutions," he added.

"The Chancellor specifically recognises that the investment in road, rail and infrastructure is set to power the economy forward. This is good news for the construction industry that is at the centre of this."

Oliver also noted the increase in funding for the Transforming Cities programme to £2.4billion, which he said will help facilitate some long needed local development projects.

“The Chancellor effectively confirmed that the UK will continue to be Europe’s construction 'hot spot' in 2019," Oliver said. "Good timing for Plantworx Construction Exhibition 2019.”