CIHT has joined 27 leading built environment organisations in signing a joint open letter urging the incoming Prime Minister to maintain the UK's existing infrastructure plans and focus on delivery rather than revisiting established strategies.

The letter, coordinated by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), brings together major contractors, consultants, professional institutions and business organisations in a united call for political consistency on infrastructure investment.

The signatories argue that the Government's previous 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy and accompanying Infrastructure Pipeline provided long-awaited certainty for industry and investors, setting out a clear programme of investment and reform worth £725 billion over the next decade.

The coalition highlights that changing direction now could undermine confidence, delay delivery and increase costs at a time when infrastructure investment is critical to economic growth, regional prosperity, climate resilience and improved connectivity.

Sue Percy CBE, Chief Executive of the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT), said:

"The UK needs long-term certainty if we are to deliver the transport and infrastructure networks communities depend upon. We strongly believe that stable, consistent investment provides the confidence needed to plan, develop and deliver the projects that support economic growth, improve connectivity, enhance resilience and help meet our climate commitments. We are pleased to join colleagues from across the built environment sector in calling for a continued focus on delivering the infrastructure plans already in place."

The letter highlights the importance of maintaining momentum behind existing commitments, noting that infrastructure projects require confidence, stability and long-term planning to succeed.

Dr Janet Young CBE, Director General of the Institution of Civil Engineers, said:

"The 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy and the accompanying pipeline have given the sector the clarity and stability it's long needed. Ripping up plans and stopping and starting projects creates uncertainty, which can deter investment and drive up costs. It also delays delivering benefits to the public. Now that clear plans backed by the industry are in place, our focus must be on implementing them to deliver the infrastructure the UK needs."

The signatories state that infrastructure investment plays a vital role in creating jobs, connecting people to education and employment, supporting economic growth, improving energy security and adapting the UK's infrastructure to a changing climate.

The open letter concludes that while industry stands ready to support the incoming government, progress depends on maintaining the existing strategic direction, building delivery capacity and implementing planned reforms designed to accelerate infrastructure delivery.

The full list of signatories includes senior leaders from organisations across the infrastructure, engineering, construction, planning and property sectors, reflecting a broad industry consensus on the need for continuity and long-term commitment.

Read the full letter: Industry open letter to the new Prime Minister on infrastructure plans

Further information

The joint letter was coordinated by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and signed by 28 organisations from across the built environment sector, including CIHT, Build UK, the Confederation of British Industry, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the Royal Town Planning Institute and leading infrastructure consultants and contractors. The letter calls on the incoming Prime Minister to recommit to the Government's existing infrastructure plans and accelerate reforms that support project delivery.