With the general election looming, the Civil Engineering Contractors’ Association (CECA) has called on the next Government to put infrastructure projects high on its agenda.
The fear is that politicians may push back planning and policy decisions even further as they grapple with priorities and funding allocation. CECA wants action from whomever is in the driving seat within the next 100 days, publishing a list of its recommendations earlier this week.
Marie-Claude Hemming, CECA’s director of operations, said: “The formation of a new UK Government offers an opportunity to turn over a page in project delivery and get the economy firing on all cylinders once more.
“The success of the UK infrastructure sector rests on certainty of pipeline, clarity of policy and close co-operation between industry and Government.”
CECA represents over 300 companies who work across civil engineering sectors. Its members directly employ over 250,000 people, many more through its supply chains, and deliver between 70 and 80% of civil engineering activity, according to the association.
Top of CECA’s action list is for the new Government to unblock paused projects. Among the projects it highlights are the Lower Thames Crossing and new terminals at London Luton Airport and the Port of Immingham.
The Lower Thames Crossing was expecting a planning decision in June, but the Conservative government pushed it back to October. As a result, many of the engineers and other professionals working on it have moved onto other projects, and countless supply chain companies are left with uncertainty about what future resources and investment they will need.
CECA also wants action on policy changes that have been pushed back. Among them are the third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3), for which National Highways submitted its initial report to the Government in May 2023; the draft 2024 price reform (PR24) settlement in the water sector and changes to the payment reporting regulations.
While it recognises that the new Government cannot implement all its promised manifesto commitments overnight, the association points out that the construction industry needs clarity and certainty about policy. Publishing indicative policy statements on transport, water, energy, skills and employment would help with that, it says. CECA also calls for a heads-up on when major fiscal events such as the Autumn Statement, Budget and any Spending Review will take place so that members can plan ahead.
The other matters requiring urgent attention, says CECA, is to set an English Skills Strategy, in conjunction with industry, to ensure we have a workforce that is fit to meet future challenges. And the Government should require all public bodies – including local authorities – to adopt and report on the use of best-practice tools such as the Construction Playbook and Project 13.
Investing in infrastructure is investing in the future economic prosperity of the country. Let’s hope that whoever is in Government from this Friday pays close attention to CECA’s words of advice.
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