Member Article

Engineers outline infrastructure priorities for next government

The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Yorkshire and Humber has welcomed the importance placed upon infrastructure in the three main Parties’ General Election manifestos, but says more needs to be done if infrastructure is to succeed in driving growth, job creation and regenerating our communities.

Penny Marshall, Director of ICE Yorkshire and Humber, said: “Infrastructure underlies economic growth and is a catalyst for social progress. The Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrats recognised these crucial points in their manifestos but there was little detail on how they will take infrastructure to the next level in the next parliament, building on the progress made.

“The creation of the first National Infrastructure Plan and many other welcome initiatives serve as a clear indication that the Coalition parties have made progress in infrastructure policy since 2010.

“It is clear that the Liberal Democrats see the vital connection between supporting infrastructure and growing a high skill, low carbon economy. They also grasp the gravity of the UK’s energy situation - with some welcome ambitious decarbonisation targets - and the need to build our resilience.

“Meanwhile, Labour’s manifesto rightly acknowledges the need for further devolution and an ambitious decarbonisation target. It also recognises the need to create certainty across the investment community and given the constraints on public finances - and this has never been more important.

“It has put a well-argued proposal on the table for a National Infrastructure Commission to help achieve political consensus on our longer term infrastructure needs, however, we remain concerned that creating a completely new entity - rather than developing the structure we already have - could shake confidence.

“We are at a critical time. The scale of the UK’s needs is large and growing, public finances remain tight, and we are emerging as an attractive market for investment.

“This means whoever forms a government post 7 May, must seek to develop a long term vision for infrastructure – one which invests in the upkeep of our local roads and flood defences on a longer term basis and builds resilience. We also need a framework that puts the vision above political fault lines – building on progress achieved in recent years rather than starting from scratch in order to maintain momentum.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Penny Marshall .