Skip to main content

CEA’s infrastructure suggestion to UK Government

A letter by the Construction Equipment Association (CEA) to the UK Government highlights the need for infrastructure investment. According to the letter, the UK does not have a good track record of identifying, planning and delivering major infrastructure projects. It says that infrastructure to support growth is identified too late and a protracted decision-making process has led to policy reversals in key areas such as energy and transport. The CEA makes clear the need to end such a short-term, damaging c
July 22, 2014 Read time: 2 mins

A letter by the 3418 Construction Equipment Association (CEA) to the UK Government highlights the need for infrastructure investment. According to the letter, the UK does not have a good track record of identifying, planning and delivering major infrastructure projects. It says that infrastructure to support growth is identified too late and a protracted decision-making process has led to policy reversals in key areas such as energy and transport. The CEA makes clear the need to end such a short-term, damaging culture, as it undermines business investment in Britain.

With capacity constraints looming, recent governments have sought to address how projects are delivered. The CEA argues that the UK does not, however, have the necessary structures in place to anticipate the infrastructure that will be needed in the future. The forthcoming manifestos of the main political parties must address this failure as forever playing catch up does not support sustainable growth.

The UK needs a permanent, independent body tasked with looking at the country’s future infrastructure requirements. This body would provide a trusted process through which political parties, the public, employers, unions and other stakeholders could propose potential solutions. It would also enable these proposals to be thoroughly assessed and analysed on a level, non-political, playing field.

In developing its work, such a body must be accountable to Parliament, not to Government, in order to provide it with the independence necessary to produce impartial analysis. Crucially however, the final decision on projects can only be taken by the Government of the day.

It was co-signed by Terry Scuoler, chief executive, EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation; Adam Marshall, executive director – Policy, British Chambers of Commerce; Frances O’Grady, general secretary, TUC; 4755 John Holland-Kaye, chief executive, Heathrow Airport; Steven Costello, Director, Heathrow Hub; Stewart Wingate, chief executive, Gatwick Airport;  Paul Kehoe, chief executive, Birmingham Airport; Darren Caplan, chief executive, Airport Operators Association; Geoff Dunning, chief executive, Road Haulage Association; Stephen Tetlow, chief executive, Institution of Mechanical Engineers; Rob Oliver, chief executive, Construction Equipment Association; Graeme Philp, chief executive, GAMBICA; Stuart Fell, chairman, Metal Assemblies; Steve McQuillan, chief executive, Avingtrans; Colin Thornton, managing director, AIM Aviation

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Speakers lined up for “Highways UK - Roads for a Modern Britain”
    August 5, 2016
    Highways UK - Roads for a Modern Britain is a major event on 16-17 November that will bring together those responsible for planning, developing, managing and maintaining Britain’s road network. There will be profound changes resulting from the recent formation of Highways England, the new government-owned strategic highways company. Delegates to Highways UK – Roads for a Modern Britain from 16-17 November at the NEC in Birmingham will hear prominent transport and infrastructure specialists discuss what t
  • UK investing in clean engine technologies
    July 15, 2013
    The UK Government is pledging to invest heavily in new engine technologies. This strategy is intended to keep the UK as a technology leader in the field of engine developments, with a particular focus on the automotive sector. The plans are to develop new, low emission vehicles using innovative powertrain systems, such as plug-in hybrids, electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles. In all some €1.156 billion (£1 billion) has been pledged by the UK Government over the next 10 years for investment in research a
  • US highways needs investment
    July 1, 2015
    In the US, the president recently signed a short-term extension for highway funding. This is a two-month extension that will provide funding for highway infrastructure until the end of July. But it is a very temporary measure made as the US Government has so far been unable to agree the longer term deal that will guarantee highway investment. The Highway Trust Fund is in particular need of investment and such a short-term political patch cannot provide the necessary solution to help boost the US constru
  • Europe extends engine emissions deadline
    November 5, 2020
    The vote paves the way for the final adoption and publication in the Official Journal of the amended version of Regulation (EU) 2016/1628.