Commenting on the Infrastructure UK study into how to reduce the costs of delivering major infrastructure projects -
Peter Hansford, ICE President and Chair of the study’s stakeholder reference group, said:
“As this study rightly points out, addressing the factors that can drive down the cost of major infrastructure projects could save government and investors billions of pounds - or, more can be built with the same level of funding, benefiting society as a whole.
“Achieving this presents both a challenge and an opportunity and clearly government and industry have equally vital roles play. Through my involvement in the study so far, it is clear to me that the whole industry is fully behind the aims and enthusiastic about making it happen.
“The recommendations set out in the study pave the way to realising these aims, and we particularly welcome action aimed at ending the ‘stop-start’ investment in infrastructure programmes which continually discourages potential investors and results in cost inefficiencies.
“Going forwards, the stakeholder reference group will continue our joint work with Infrastructure UK to implement a more detailed plan of action and monitor the progress being made.”
Peter Hansford is also an Executive Director of The Nichols Group.
The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) was founded in 1818 to ensure professionalism in civil engineering. It represents 80,000 qualified and student civil engineers in the UK and across the globe. The ICE has long worked with the government of the day to help it to achieve its objectives, and has worked with industry to ensure that construction and civil engineering remain major contributors to the UK economy and UK exports.