Bradford firms have backed a survey of business which reveals huge dissatisfaction with Britain's transport system.

The survey, by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), reveals UK business is at breaking point because of the problem.

Of respondents, including hundreds in Yorkshire, 82 per cent described transport as essential to operations and 84 per cent said road congestion affected their business.

The main reason cited was the sheer volume of traffic, with roadworks and poor road design also prominent problems.

The survey found congestion was now so bad that 87 per cent of businesses support the principle of road pricing but only if amendments are made to other forms of taxation such as fuel duty. But this does not appear to be reflected in Bradford, where opposition to road pricing is stubborn.

Mike Cartwright, of Bradford Chamber, said: "Bradford companies support many of the concerns, such as the additional cost incurred by congestion, and will hope the findings give the Government more focus on transport expenditure. However, they won't take quite the same view as the BCC report on congestion charging. We think that perhaps a third of members don't support it in any form and those that do want either motoring taxes replaced or other road improvements first, such as public transport or congestion reduction."

Patricia Maclean, of Mc3 Logistics, a global freight forwarding company in Low Moor, Bradford, said: "We all pay enough in rates and road charges that we should be serving the Government with a congestion charge for non-performance on the roadways. Money for improvements seems to be spent in the south.

"We are constantly hindered by bottlenecks. If a container is delayed, it can miss the vessel, meaning the customer can lose money, their job and future money."

Joe Hemingway, chairman of the Yorkshire branch of the British Institute Freight Association, said: "It's clear day-time travel in this area is fraught with delays. But I don't see how congestion charging can be the answer. Asking industry to pay extra to meet transport needs, while maintaining competitiveness, is something many can't afford to do."

e-mail: will.kilner@bradford.newsquest.co.uk