Britain's "dilapidated" transport systems are now costing business £23.2 billion a year, an increase of £5.7 billion since last year, according to a new report.
The cost of the poor state of transport infrastructure to each UK business is estimated at £17,350 a year, the report from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said.
As many as 90% of businesses had experienced increased operating costs and 80% claimed a loss of man hours.
The report also showed 80% of businesses said road congestion locally, regionally and nationally was a problem. And nationally, the sheer volume of traffic was the biggest issue, with poor road design, planning delays and the lack of alternative transportation adding to the problem.
The report also showed 78% of firms would support the principle of road pricing, but only if improvements to public transport and investment in infrastructure were made beforehand. And 95% believed the planning of the UK's major transport infrastructure schemes took too many years, with 90% agreeing that transport schemes were too bureaucratic in their design and implementation.
The report said the UK's transport infrastructure was still built around its Victorian foundations.
BCC director-general David Frost said: "This survey highlights the need for a long-term strategy that is prepared to take drastic action to improve and upgrade our dilapidated transport networks.
"High-profile projects such as the third runway at Heathrow and a new high-speed railway must happen. Passengers and road users are becoming more infuriated as their journeys become longer and more costly.
"If the UK is to maintain its position in the world it must invest in its infrastructure. A first-rate country cannot operate with a third-rate network."
