ICE Fellow and future President, Sir John Armitt, has accepted an invitation to lead an independent review for the Labour Party on improving the UK’s infrastructure.
ICE agrees it is time to stand above political fault lines and ensure infrastructure can deliver as the critical enabler to economic growth in the UK. All party commitment to an infrastructure programme, with broad agreement on how to fund it, may seem difficult but is vital in bringing greater certainty to the industry. By working together, we believe all parties can minimise unnecessary change, helping to avoid delays and indecision.”
Nick Baveystock, ICE Director General
Sir John Armitt, chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), will be tasked with drawing up plans for an independent commission that can assess the UK’s long-term infrastructure needs.
Planning for the long-term
The commission will look at decision-making, planning, delivery and finance with a 25-year forward view, as well as helping to build cross-party political consensus.
The announcement was made by Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls as he delivered his keynote speech during the recent Labour Party Conference.
In his role as Chair of the ODA, Sir John Armitt was integral to the successful delivery of this summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games and was knighted in the New Year Honours List for his services to engineering and construction.
Before being appointed ODA Chair Armitt was Chief Executive of Network Rail. He was elected to ICE’s Presidential team earlier this year and will officially take up his Vice-President’s post in November.
'Encouraging' appointment
ICE Director General Nick Baveystock commented: “It is encouraging to see one of the UK’s most prominent civil engineers and a future ICE president, step up to chair a review of our infrastructure systems. Sir John has years of experience and drive in delivering large scale projects on time and to budget and his respect across Government and industry make him a sound choice."