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Wales must agree infrastructure vision

Country needs a clear plan that can be developed in collaboration with the whole community, says ACE Wales chair Geoff Ogden.

Geoff Ogden, ACE chair, Wales

Wales will struggle to meet future efficiency targets such as those set out in the Construction 2025 strategy and respond to future Welsh needs without a long term vision set by effective collaboration between business, government and civil society, ACE Wales chair Geoff Ogden said today.

"With the most significant of infrastructure schemes easily extending beyond 15 years for implementation 2030 now seems too close for forward planning, with 2050 representing more potential for successful regional projects.”

With the move towards more devolution, the construction industry’s role as the ‘bellwether’ of the economy has deep implications for Wales, he said. And during times of economic strength Wales needs to focus not only infrastructure and construction today, but also upon the future vision for Welsh infrastructure.

Ogden was delivering a keynote speech today at the 'Policy Forum for Wales: Infrastructure in Wales – progress, priorities, and next steps for policy' event in Cardiff. 

“Effective collaboration between business, government and civil society is a necessary prerequisite if reforms and investment are to raise productivity and competitiveness,” he said. “This calls for strong public and private leadership, a clear vision and effective and ongoing communication to build trust between all parties. It is therefore crucial to create mechanisms and fora to promote dialogue,” he said.

While many stress achievement levels by a target year such as 2025 or 2030, Ogden reminded his audience that these are mid-range targets. “With the most significant of infrastructure schemes easily extending beyond 15 years for implementation 2030 now seems too close for forward planning, with 2050 representing more potential for successful regional projects.”

Stakeholders throughout Welsh society need an understanding of infrastructure benefits to create a long term vision for Welsh Infrastructure, he said, referencing Sir John Armitt’s statement in July that “helping people to understand the value of infrastructure remains one of the greatest challenges for infrastructure professionals”. A clear understanding and vision of Welsh infrastructure will lead to inward investments as well as to an increased confidence in the level of regional skills, Ogden stressed.

 “This will get us thinking about the trends that will influence the future, about what’s different in Wales – what are the unique selling points or differentiators?” Ogden said.

 “What is important is that we aim to look beyond today’s problems and challenges for Wales to focus on being ambitious for our future,” Ogden said.

If you would like to contact Natasha Marie Levanti about this, or any other story, please email nlevanti@acenet.co.uk.