Responding to the Integrated Rail Plan for the North and Midlands second report of session 2022-23, published today, Chris Richards, Director of Policy at the Institution of Civil Engineers, said:
"This report reaffirms that the theory behind the IRP is sound: a £96 billion pipeline of investment that, assuming all goes to plan, should provide better rail services in the Midlands and the North faster than previous options.
"But the underlying evidence to back up whether these plans are going to be delivered on time and on budget, and crucially with the right outcomes, is not there.
"This is why the ICE and All-Party Parliamentary Group on Infrastructure has launched a consultation seeking views and evidence on how delivery of the IRP can be accelerated and what principles are needed to guide decisions on investment.
"Public transport has a key role to play in achieving the UK’s long-term national objectives, notably rebalancing the economy to level up underperforming regions and transitioning to net zero.
"There is little time to lose in delivering the major strategic infrastructure projects needed to achieve those goals."
Notes to editors
To arrange an interview or briefing with Chris or another ICE spokesperson, contact Maggie Eckel, media relations manager at ICE: [email protected].
About the Institution of Civil Engineers
Founded in 1818, the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) is a UK-based international organisation with more than 95,000 members, ranging from students to professionally qualified civil engineers.
As an educational and qualifying body, with charitable status under UK law, we support our members throughout their careers, and help society to have trust and confidence in infrastructure professionals.
Under our Royal Charter, ICE has become recognised worldwide for its excellence as a centre of learning, a public voice for the profession and a leading source of expertise in infrastructure and engineering policy.
