Scottish Infrastructure Commission seeks industry input for 30-year plan

As the Infrastructure Commission for Scotland (ICS) aims to develop a 30-year strategy for improvements across the country, the group is now calling for industry stakeholders to come forward and advise them on priorities for the future.

Established by the Scottish Government to provide independent, informed advice on the vision and ambition needed to meet its future economic growth and societal needs, commissioners are now keen to hear views.

The infrastructure sectors about which the ICS is interested in gaining responses include - transport, energy, water, telecoms, digital and the internet as well as housing, education, health, justice, culture and tourism, waste management, flood prevention and public services such as emergency services and resilience.

Under the new National Infrastructure Commission, Scottish ministers have committed to steadily increasing annual investment so it is £1.56 billion more in 2025-26 than in 2019-20, meaning more than £25bn in infrastructure investment through the next parliament.

The first phase of engagement is asking a number of questions focusing on what the strategic drivers to inclusive growth and a low carbon economy are; the appropriateness of current infrastructure to meet supply and demand; and the different approaches taken to infrastructure assessment and prioritisation.

Ian Russell, chair of the Infrastructure Commission for Scotland, said: “This is a rare opportunity to contribute towards advising on the long-term strategy for Scotland’s vital infrastructure. This first phase of engagement will also allow us to shape future engagement phases that aim to capture the expertise and opinions of people from across industry, business, the public sector, academia, civic society and the wider public.”

The Scottish Government confirmed the line-up of the commission just last month. The deadline for submissions to the Initial Call for Evidence and Contributions is Friday 3 May 2019.

Details of how to submit evidence, can be found here.