CC image courtesy of Matt Buck / Flickr

That's just the point, public transport in the UK is all too often unreliable, overcrowded and running late. As a country we are overcrowded with a shortage of space for development. Our planning laws are often incongruous and a burgeoning industry lies in the "not in my backyard" placard.

The problem is, we as service users suffer and we are seen as second rate by overseas investors. The Olympic themed comedy on BBC4, 2012, ironically sums us up, as an opportunity to show off our construction prowess to a Brazilian contingent is flattened by a day getting lost in London's transport system. Brazil pump millions into their infrastructure system every year, building some of the longest link roads in the world to reach massive port complexes creating jobs and growing the economy, but we as a world leader are stuck in the planning courts.

China has followed Japan's lead in high speed rail, whilst Russia is linking relative outposts such as Sochi to the major cities in readiness for the Winter Olympics and beyond.

There could always be something else to spend money on, but we see infrastructure as a long term necessity and something which countries who aspire to maintain their status or build a global presence always find the means to support.

The UK needs long awaited investment into our own infrastructure. We are relatively small so toll roads aren't as prevalent as on the continent, but the railways are pivotal.

With road links to the ports clogged up, the A14 being a prime example, why don't we take the Victorian concept of transporting goods by train, by 21st century means. With fuel costs high, why not encourage people to commute in other ways rather than drive. Why should we be willing to watch the Developing world create cutting edge infrastructure to take our place.

Fiscal deficits exist, as does the Eurozone crisis and nobody wants a train racing through their garden, but if we want to remain competitive and open for business, the UK needs to catch up and learn to see the long term value in infrastructure.