The CBI has said that the Government is in danger of repeating past mistakes with the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) if it fails to give the necessary priority to investment in infrastructure.
Commenting, Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Director General, Tom Foulkes, said:
“The CBI is right to highlight the importance of continued investment in UK infrastructure. Robust and effective infrastructure is vital for the UK’s future development and economic prosperity and will aid the shift to a low carbon society - yet an assessment of our networks showed that our overall infrastructure requires ‘significant attention’ with energy and local transport infrastructure graded as ‘at risk’.
“Government body Infrastructure UK has estimated that £40-50bn will need to be channeled into our infrastructure per annum and in his speech (today) Nick Clegg strongly hinted that the Government remains committed to its plans for infrastructure investment, despite tough plans for public spending cuts. Therefore we are hopeful that Government recognises the scale of the challenge and the financial commitment required. This must now be reflected in the comprehensive spending review and the plan for a Green Investment Bank.”
ICE’s recent State of the Nation: Infrastructure 2010 outlined the infrastructure priorities for the new Government, appraising the UK’s existing infrastructure and making recommendations for the future. View report here: http://www.ice.org.uk/Information-resources/Document-Library/State-of-the-Nation--Infrastructure-2010
Infrastructure sectors snap shot:
Water and wastewater (B)
Twenty years of regulatory-driven investment means water infrastructure is generally working well. However, major reductions in demand are needed to bring it into line with long-term carbon emissions goals.
Recommendations:
Reduce demand, reduce volume that is treated by separating flows, changes to regulatory regime to drive long-term investments
Strategic transport networks (B)
Generally good condition; however some form of demand management is needed to managed limited road capacity.
Recommendations: invest in building capacity in rail networks, highways and motorways; road user charging or other form of demand management
Waste (C)
Our entire approach to waste must change. The waste industry should be looking to become suppliers – of fuel, compost, manufacturing materials. It is also imperative we reduce the waste going to landfill.
Recommendations: develop national resource management infrastructure plan, design waste out at source, improve integration of management of municipal and commercial and industrial waste
Flood risk management (C)
Current investment in flood risk management must continue however in the long-term our approach must change dramatically
Recommendations: Improve long-term planning, community engagement and increase use of SUDs.
Energy (D)
The lack of spare capacity must be urgently addressed, with maximum supply currently very close to peak demand. The sector must also be decarbonised rapidly to ensure the UK meets legally binding carbon emissions targets.
Recommendations: Crucial decisions on renewable energy sources and technologies such as CCS must be made in the next five years, timeline of action including carrying out of existing strategies and NPSs as well as active engagement with industry
Local transport (D)
Currently there is far too much on dependence private car travel, and local roads are in ‘poor condition’.
Recommendations: Improve local public transport, roads and manage private car demand through alternative modes of transport
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