Commenting on Nick Clegg’s speech at the LSE today, Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Director General Tom Foulkes, said:
“The commitment to a ‘vision’ for UK infrastructure, the prioritisation of key projects that could kick-start economic growth and direct ministerial responsibility for delivering these projects is encouraging news. The work of Lord Green and Lord Sassoon in proactively promoting the UK as an attractive place to invest will also be vital in building much needed confidence among potential private investors.
“However, the real show of Government’s commitment to infrastructure as a long term driver of growth will be the imminent second edition of the National Infrastructure Plan. A plan that is simply a long list of projects stretching into the far future or a cross Whitehall compendium of initiatives, will not succeed. It must be tightly focussed, setting out what the UK needs from its infrastructure and clear steps to attracting the necessary investment. It should also map out how Government will create a political, regulatory and commercial environment that is conducive to achieving the goals of the plan. NIP 2 presents an opportunity that cannot be missed.”
More information
On 8 September, ICE published a report setting out recommendations for NIP 2, due out this autumn - see the full report here: http://www.ice.org.uk/nip2
Media contacts
For further information contact:
Kate Ison, ICE Media Relations Manager, 0207 665 2104, kate.ison@ice.org.uk
Notes to editors
The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) is a leading source of professional expertise in transport, water supply and treatment, flood management, waste and energy. Established in 1818, it has over 80,000 members throughout the world including over 60,000 in the UK. ICE’s vision is to place civil engineering the heart of society, delivering sustainable development through knowledge, skills and professional expertise. 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.