George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer today announced the Autumn Statement which outlined the current state of the economy and Government future plans.
Major Infrastructure announcements
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The publication of the £15bn Roads Investment Strategy (RIS)
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£38 billion Network Rail delivery programme, including electrification of key lines, as well as commitments to projects such as Crossrail, phase 1 of which is due to complete in 2018, and HS2, phase 1 of which is due to start construction in 2017
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£2.3 billion programme of flood investment investing in over 1,400 schemes to protect 300,000 homes
Sue Percy, CIHT Chief Executive said:
“The Chancellor today outlined a commitment to investing in transport infrastructure. CIHT have previously highlighted the important role that this plays in encouraging and sustaining economic growth. We welcome this commitment and the certainty it brings to our sector.”
“The proposed changes to funding cycles would improve certainty for the entire transport sector, including skills, resources and the investment needed for effective delivery. This would have positive benefits to health, environment, social as well as economic agendas.”
The National Infrastructure Plan (NIP) was released yesterday which set out the further progress on the UKs infrastructure programme (2 December)
CIHT will examine the full details of the NIP over the next couple of days.
The National Infrastructure Plan announced that the government will be providing local authorities (in England) with £5.8 billion of capital funding over the next six years for maintenance of local highways.
The government has announced that of this funding:
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£4.7 billion will be allocated according to a needs-based formula,
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£580 million to incentivise good asset management and efficiencies,
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£575 million reserved to a challenge fund for large one-off maintenance and renewal projects.
CIHT on Road Investment Strategy
CIHT believe that, for the Road Investment Strategy to be more effective, it should:
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be part of a National Transport Strategy which would provide clear direction and clarification for UK transport policy – roads should not be looked at in isolation
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include the strategic and local road networks, rail, aviation and ports and set out how those networks integrate with one another
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provide greater investment certainty to allow the UK to operate, maintain and construct the required transport network
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take into account the whole life cost of transport infrastructure, including its ongoing maintenance, which needs to be recognised and resourced appropriately
Sue Percy, CIHT Chief Executive said:
“CIHT welcome the publication of these documents (the National Infrastructure Plan and the Road Investment Strategy (RIS)). Although the RIS is not new investment, the detail of the schemes helps to provide industry with some of the certainty that it needs.
“We believe that government should recognise that the success of an improved strategic road network in meeting customer needs cannot be met without the local road network being considered as part of a holistic solution.”
“Certainty of investment over a sustained period will allow a more resilient network to be developed. This would allow the reformed Highways Agency and its supply chain to meet the potential challenges of climate change (and other factors) by taking a longer term view of the needs of the network.”
“We are very pleased to see the reintroduction of a road safety target, with the aim of a 40% reduction in deaths and serious injuries on the network by the end of 2020.”
Notes for editors
Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation
CIHT is a membership organisation representing over 13,000 people who work in the highways and transportation sector.
CIHT members plan, design, build, operate and maintain best-in-class transport systems and infrastructure, whilst respecting the imperatives of improving safety, ensuring economic competitiveness and minimising environmental impact.
CIHT supports its member's professional endeavours by:
• offering training, information, professional development and support
• promoting the value added to society by the profession
• being the focused voice to Governments and other decision makers on transportation expertise and knowledge.
For more information please contact:
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