ICE Director General Tom Foulkes has given his response to the 2nd National Infrastruture Plan announced today.
“The new infrastructure plan lays the foundations for a more structured approach to our infrastructure delivery. An approach that rightly sets out what the UK needs from its infrastructure, the interdependencies between the networks, a strategic and comprehensive ‘pipeline’ of projects and the need for a political heavyweight to really drive the most crucial ones forward.
“Clearly Government has taken on board the case made for prioritisation of capital expenditure for infrastructure investment, despite difficult economic circumstances. Its aspirations on how to finance infrastructure in the longer term through a range of models and working with the pensions industry to leverage £20bn, are also very encouraging. However, Government must now ensure its aspirations are translated into reality.
“Going forwards there must also be regular, high profile, public reporting on the progress of the infrastructure plan to ensure goals are met and the plan remains up to date. The commitment to report against performance measures for each network in an annual ‘state of the infrastructure’ report is a real step forward. However to retain confidence and create a platform for continuous dialogue between industry, investors and government there is a strong case for a National Infrastructure Forum bringing together the key players who will be involved in implementing the plan.”