NIC report “required reading for anyone leading, or aspiring to lead, the country”
The National Infrastructure Commission’s 2nd National Infrastructure Assessment (NIA2) has been very positively received by a broad range of stakeholders with commentators describing it variously as “strongly welcome”, “very timely” and “required reading for anyone leading, or aspiring to lead, the country.”
Commenting on the publication of NIC’s 2nd National Infrastructure Assessment…
The Institution of Civil Engineers said:
The ICE strongly welcomes this evidence-based assessment. NIA2 reinforces the central role that infrastructure plays in meeting the big challenges that the UK faces.
The NIC has used systems thinking to understand the complex interaction between different sectors.
The report is also the most comprehensive assessment yet of the infrastructure costs associated with supporting regional growth and reaching net zero.
If the UK continues its stop/start approach to infrastructure planning and fails to commit to long-term goals, those costs will rise and the country will miss out on much-needed private investment.
And the problems being faced by the public will get bigger.
Politicians should use the NIC’s recommendations to keep making progress. When they do, results are visible, and people benefit.
When they don’t, problems get stored up for the future.
Maria Machancoses, Chief Executive of Midlands Connect:
“The publication of this report is very timely and welcome. We echo calls by the commission for an urgent and comprehensive review of rail priorities for the North and the Midlands following government’s recent decision on High Speed 2 and the introduction of Network North.
“We also welcome proposals for the development of an Integrated strategy for interurban transport and strongly believe this overall strategy should be underpinned by the Strategic Transport Plans being developed by Sub-national Transport bodies across the country including that of Midlands Connect.
“Now, we must work with Government to take forward the recommendations set out in this report - addressing the long-standing inequalities across the country, and our collective net zero and climate change commitments.”
Lord McLoughlin, Chair of Transport for the North:
“We welcome this assessment and especially its recognition of the key role improved connectivity has to play in unlocking the potential of the North’s city-regions and towns.”
“The evidence is clear, investing in the North’s transport system will make a difference for both residents and businesses, connecting people and places with opportunities and services.
“To realise this transformation, we must deliver on agreed priorities, and make it easier to do so. This updated infrastructure needs assessment gives confidence to our communities and will encourage the private sector to continue to invest in the North’s success. In this way we are to deliver economic growth that is sustainable and inclusive for the longer term to transform the North.”
Andrew Baldwin Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Association for Project Management (APM)
“The UK faces a multitude of challenges, which are playing out against a backdrop of accelerating change. Economic volatility, political uncertainty and the threat of climate change make the need for modern, reliable infrastructure more important than ever.
“Major infrastructure projects, when delivered well, can provide economic, social and environmental benefits. In order to succeed however, such projects require stability. NIA2 demonstrates that its core recommendations will need to be delivered through projects, but also points out that part of the solution also comes from having greater policy stability and long term plans… When projects are scrapped or face multiple significant changes, this severely impacts – or completely negates – their ability to meet the intended need.
“Project success is also dependent on skilled professionals. The NIC report makes it clear that delivering major projects requires strong project management and delivery skills.
“But that isn't all that is needed. There is a further opportunity to focus the civil service more on policy delivery, not just policy development. Increased resource and development of the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) and departmental project teams will ensure the recommendations in the NIC’s report can be delivered in full.”
Torsten Bell, Chief Executive of the Resolution Foundation, said:
“Britain needs to invest more to underpin its growth and net zero transition. This authoritative assessment of Britain’s infrastructure needs should be required reading for anyone leading, or aspiring to lead, the country.
“Delivering on this scale of infrastructure development is going to require not only higher, but more stable levels of public investment than Britain has managed for decades.”