National Infrastructure Commission is ‘once in a generation’ opportunity to drive investment
Malcolm Bairstow, EY Head of Infrastructure, comments on the creation of a National Infrastructure Commission.
It’s been a long time coming but the creation of a National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) is a once in a generation opportunity to provide much needed momentum to the delivery of critical infrastructure investment in the UK.
The UK has the ability to conceive and deliver world class projects such as the Olympics and Heathrow Terminal 5, but there have been numerous occasions where capital investment programmes and funding commitments have been shelved or put on ice due to changes in administration and competing agendas.
The mantra of the NIC should be bold thinking, innovative design, swift planning and efficient execution but there are also numerous fundamental issues that will need to be addressed to ensure success. These include training and skills shortages as well as access to private sector financing and funding.
The industry must now rally round to help Lord Adonis bring together the major players in infrastructure and drive investment, while balancing the need for democratic oversight and timely challenges to a project’s feasibility, value for money and impact on society.
