Opinion

Take the 5 Step Infrastructure Challenge

Nick Baveystock, ICE

Just under 200 years ago, when ICE was first founded, public and political hostility to large scale infrastructure was often so great that one MP declared during a debate he “would rather meet a highwayman, or see a burglar on his premises, than an engineer.” 

Today, more politicians of all parties are making the case for infrastructure. It has occupied a reasonably high position on the Westminster agenda in recent years, and this increased interest has led to a range schemes and initiatives on both sides of the house. 

Its political revival has of course been helped along by the pressing need to stimulate economic growth: infrastructure projects create jobs, equip future generations with sought after engineering skills and regenerate communities. Infrastructure also shapes decisions about where we live, work and invest; it improves connectivity and provides access to healthcare and education. It is much more than an economic multiplier.

"Whichever party – or parties - holds power next May, all will have to deal with a severely constrained public purse for years to come and maintain some degree of commitment to deficit reduction."

Despite improvements, progress has been gradual and not as “turbo charged” and as many would hope – perhaps due to infrastructure’s slow electoral payback, and the notion that increasing spending on more immediate, important needs such as health and social care reap electoral rewards more quickly.

As we approach the General Election, now is the time for concerted political commitment on infrastructure. Without this, the UK’s infrastructure deficiencies will become more apparent. Poorly maintained assets that are unable to cope with the pressures of more extreme weather events will only continue to weigh down businesses and communities. 

Without greater political consensus on the UK’s infrastructure needs, better public engagement on major projects and less bureaucratic inertia, there is a risk that the socio-economic benefits infrastructure brings will be unrealised. The UK still languishes at 27th in the World Economic Forum’s infrastructure quality ranking.

Whichever party – or parties - holds power next May, all will have to deal with a severely constrained public purse for years to come and maintain some degree of commitment to deficit reduction. However, by making infrastructure a central plank of any plan to improve economic growth and social well-being, politicians can build on the foundation laid over the past 5 years and fully realise the UK’s infrastructure potential.

Political courage will be key over the next 6 months and beyond. The road ahead is challenging, with some prickly issues to tackle and tough decisions to make - on aviation policy, the driving forward of major projects, managing cost, and on the resilience of our networks. But I believe there are also opportunities at every turn.

ICE encourages all political parties to show their commitment to infrastructure, consider our 5 Step Infrastructure Challenge and join the infrastructure debate on Twitter using #Commit2Infrastructure. ICE’s Manifesto for Infrastructure will be published at the start of February setting out policy recommendations on all sectors.

Nick Baveystock is Director General of the Institution of Civil Engineers