The organisation’s first Annual Monitoring Report, launched on Friday, reviews progress made against a series of key recommendations and priorities that were identified by the NIC last year.

 

It criticises the Government for being slow in taking decisive action to address several of the UK’s most pressing infrastructure needs.

 

In particular, the report highlights that the proposal for Heathrow’s third runway reaches a critical stage in 2018 as the National Policy Statement (NPS) for airports is finalised.

 

It is crucial, the document says, that the Government continues drive forward this programme of work so that a Parliamentary vote on the NPS takes place as early as possible in the summer.

 

“Any further delay would be irreconcilable with the Government’s commitment to deliver the infrastructure the country needs,” commented the NIC’s chairman Sir John Armitt.

 

He added: “It is hugely disappointing that nearly two years after the Commission’s reports on Crossrail 2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail, the Government still has not firmly committed to a timetable for funding or got a clear plan for delivering either of these nationally significant projects.

 

“It is vital that decisions on both schemes are made this year and that the Government commits to the long term vision that supports the recommendations we made.”

 

The report also finds that further action is urgently needed to improve mobile phone coverage and digital connectivity on the UK’s roads and railways, and calls for Government to ensure necessary legislation of phase 2b of High Speed 2 is introduced by the end of 2019.

 

The Civil Engineering Contractors Association has backed the NIC’s call for faster action on major infrastructure schemes. Its chief executive Alasdair Reisner said: “Infrastructure in the UK has for too long suffered from a lack of long term strategy and delays to nationally significant projects.

 

“CECA calls on the Government to commit to projects outlined in the National Infrastructure Delivery Plan. Moreover it must to work to develop projects to add to this pipeline, which will create jobs and secure future economic growth.”

 

Responding to the NIC report, a Government spokesman said it remains on track to lay a final Airports National Policy Statement in Parliament in the first half of this year.

 

“We are ensuring Britain is fit for the future by investing in the right infrastructure in the right places,” the spokesman added, pointing out that since 2010 more than 4500 infrastructure projects have been completed, including 1100 transport projects.