Construction organisations have enthusiastically welcomed the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority’s (NISTA) launch of its infrastructure pipeline tool.
The online dashboard, which went live on 17 July, shows information about almost 800 projects worth £531bn in total over the next 10 years.
Wates Group public sector director, Steve Beechey, said the publication of this asset “could be a turning point in streamlining infrastructure delivery”.
“Wates has long championed the need for a clear, long-term pipeline to give industry the confidence to invest in people, skills and innovation,” Beechey said.
“We welcome this important step by NISTA and look forward to working with them to ensure the pipeline becomes a dynamic tool that drives delivery, unlocks private investment, and supports the transformation of our public estate.
“Coupled with NISTA’s advisory role on procurement, governance and delivery models, this will strengthen collaboration and enable more efficient project delivery.”
‘A picture of potential’
Aecom chief executive for Europe and India, Richard Whitehead, agreed that the infrastructure pipeline offers industry and investors “a clear, long-term view of infrastructure opportunities over the coming decade”.
He added: “A stable infrastructure pipeline, insulated from political cycles, is vital for maintaining long-term certainty and ensuring the efficient delivery of major projects. It’s now time to shift from strategy to delivery – accelerating progress to unlock economic growth and social value across the UK.”
And AtkinsRéalis also welcomed NISTA’s project pipeline as “a major milestone that businesses across the industry will celebrate”. However, the engineering consultancy emphasised the need for the government to create new public-private partnerships to successfully deliver the projects.
“The pipeline paints a picture of potential,” said Chris Ball, AtkinsRéalis president for the UK and Ireland. “[But] there is more still to do. Public money won’t be enough for the level of funding required over the next 10 years – we will need new public-private partnerships, new funding models and a focus on attracting private finance into the UK.
“AtkinsRéalis stands ready to help plan and deliver these programmes to achieve rapid and efficient economic growth for people and place.”
