ICE responds to new Major Infrastructure Planning unit
Commenting on the announcement of a new Major Infrastructure Planning Unit to replace the Infrastructure Planning Commission, ICE Director General Tom Foulkes, said:
“The scale of infrastructure investment required over the next decade - in the realm of £500bn - demands Government provide investors with certainty through the provision of an efficient and democratic planning system. We are the pleased therefore that the IPC’s function in fast-tracking nationally significant projects will be retained in the new system and hope that having elected ministers take final decisions will deliver accountability for decision making and greater public acceptance of those decisions.
“However, it is imperative that these reforms do not derail any progress we have already made. With a looming energy generation shortfall and pressing environmental targets we simply don’t have time to go back to square one with vital energy, transport, water and waste projects.”
Media contacts
Kate Ison
ICE Press Officer
0207 665 2104
e Kate.ison@ice.org.uk
Notes to editors
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.