Unless work is begun now. and money spent soon, 'we will become a dilapidated second-rate annexe to Europe', according to the President of RIBA. Evidence from
Government surveys, from economists, from local authorities, confirm that homes, schools and roads are decaying fast. Weakened by successive stop-go policies, the building and construction industry is in decline.
Has crisis point been reached? When the builders are called in, will it be too late?
Susan Marling investigates Researcher CAROLYN HARTMAN Producer CHRIS LONGLEY
0 FEATURE: page 3