Infrastructure authority demanded

The EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation said the move was needed to end decades of “political wrangling and poor planning”.

The business group said there were continued concerns over “neglected” road and energy infrastructure, as well as “prevarication” over expanding airport capacity.

EEF adviser Chris Richards said: “Political prevarication and policy reversals have left Britain in the slow lane in developing its infrastructure for decades. The neglect of our roads, the indecision on expanding airport capacity and the agonising over high- speed rail routes have only served to exacerbate the feeling that Britain’s infrastructure is not geared up to support growth.

“We now have the opportunity to put in place a new independent system that will aid long-term planning.”