Monday’s appointment of Lord Adonis, the former Labour Transport Secretary, to chair a new National Infrastructure Commission has broadly been welcomed by sector commentators, describing the move as bold, positive and smart.

 

But there are concerns that the commission may become little more than a talking shop and fail to deliver major projects swiftly. “The infrastructure commission must have the necessary binding decision making powers to initiate infrastructure and get Britain building,” warned AECOM’s European chief executive for civil infrastructure Richard Robinson. “It's crucial the commission doesn't become a long grass forum into which politically charged projects are kicked.”

 

However, he added: “Lord Adonis's appointment is a smart move: more than just a political coup, it sends a signal that the commission will be truly cross party.”

 

Confederation of British Industry’s director general John Cridland said: “Businesses will want to see the new infrastructure commission hit the ground running. Top of its national action list should be assessing the Trans-Pennine railway and Crossrail 2.” He added that the new commission “must not duck major infrastructure decisions that need taking now”.

 

Civil Engineering Contractors Association chief executive Alasdair Reisner said it is vital that appointments are made to the commission “that reflect the wide views of the UK as a whole” to ensure it “builds support across the political spectrum.”

 

CIHT welcomed the new commission, which it said demonstrates that transport infrastructure is recognised by Government as vital to UK economic growth. It added that the next step must be development of a National Transport Strategy.

 

Legal firm Irwin Mitchell’s partner Martha Grekos said: “This is a bold and positive move by Government. The creation of this new body will change the landscape in the way that infrastructure projects are delivered in the UK. We look forward to swift decision being made over such important national infrastructure projects.”

 

Government says that the National Infrastructure Commission will offer “unbiased analysis” of the UK’s long term infrastructure needs and will begin work immediately. It will eventually have up to 30 permanent staff.

 

Chancellor George Osborne said: “The commission will calmly and dispassionately assess the future infrastructure needs of the country and it will hold any government’s feet to the fire if it fails to deliver.”

 

Lord Adonis said: “Without big improvements to its transport and energy systems, Britain will grind to a halt. Major infrastructure projects like Crossrail span governments and parliaments. I hope it will be possible to forge a wide measure of agreement, across society and politics, on key infrastructure requirements for the next 20 to 30 years.”

 

The commission will deliver a long term plan and an assessment of national infrastructure needs early in each parliament, setting out what a government is expected to do over the next five years. It will be able to commission research and call for evidence from public sector bodies and private sector experts.

 

Initial priorities for the commission include ways to improve the connectivity of cities in Northern England, through projects such as High Speed 3, and setting out priorities for major investment in London’s public transport infrastructure.

 

The commission will publish advice to the Government on these issues before next year’s Budget. It will also begin work on a national infrastructure assessment, looking ahead to requirements for the next 30 years.

 

But the commission has not been asked to look at airport expansion in the South East or re-examine the work of the Airports Commission.

 

Lord Adonis was previously a member of the independent Armitt Commission, which two years ago recommended the creation of an independent National Infrastructure Commission.

 

(Photo: Brian Russell - BRD Associates)