Rising fuel costs and poor local road infrastructure are have a negative impact on north-east businesses, a survey has found.
The review of business leaders in Aberdeen and shire revealed a high level of frustration with busy roads, with 35% claiming their commute had got longer in the last two years while 45% said traffic jams had increased the cost of doing business.
The report is the culmination of North East Business Week (NEBW), a series of events that comes to a conclusion today where the survey will be discussed with key local leaders.
Yet the report, led by Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce (AGCC), also found that respondents were hopeful that major projects such as the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) and a proposed £13million upgrade to Aberdeen airport would have a positive impact on their businesses.
Robert Collier – chief executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce – said: “This research provides us with confirmation of what our members have told us for some time – infrastructure is under pressure as our economy grows and promised investment now has to be delivered.
“Planned major projects will have a beneficial impact but they will not take away these pressures, and further planning is needed for the future.” The annual NEBW is a joint effort among the region’s business organisations comprising AGCC, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) and Enterprise North East Trust.
Andy Willox, Chair of the South Aberdeenshire branch of the FSB said: “The survey findings show that businesses in the north-east are broadly positive about the infrastructure improvements in the area, such as the AWPR and the Dee and Don bridge developments, as well as the rollout of superfast broadband.
“However, our events this week have highlighted the concerns of many business owners about the current challenges faced within digital, transport and road connectivity.
“This week’s events have been a success, enabling business owners to have their voice heard and crucially, develop the channels of communication with the key decision makers, which can only benefit the north-east economy as a whole.”