That's according to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), which is holding its annual conference this week. It says the UK needs a 30-year transport plan to put right problems that are costing businesses £15 billion annually.

BCC director-general David Frost said:

"One of the biggest barriers to lifting this burden is streamlining our archaic planning system and making it fit for the 21st century. Key projects are being put back by years on end due to serious delays in the planning system. It is simply not acceptable that businesses are forced to suffer as a result of endless red tape and delays caused by local authorities up and down the UK."