Adonis launches consultation on National Infrastructure Assessment

The National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) has launched a consultation into the process and methodology of the National Infrastructure Assessment (NIA).

When the government established the NIC, it set out its aims as to analyse the UK’s long-term economic infrastructure needs, to outline a strategic vision over a 30-year time frame and to set out recommendations for how identified needs should begin to be met. All this will be done through the publication of a NIA once a parliament and the NIC is now consulting on how it intends to take that work forward.

Publishing the consultation Lord Adonis, interim chair of the National Infrastructure Commission said: “The NIC was established to transform the way we plan and deliver major infrastructure in this country – the National Infrastructure Assessment will be central to that task. The NIA will be an enormous piece of work, but the prize is greater still. Our national infrastructure affects every aspect of our daily lives, and costs us billions each year to develop and maintain.

“Developing a serious and strategic long-term approach will help reduce unnecessary delay, costs and congestion. The NIA will secure better infrastructure for us all, more value for money for the taxpayer, and greater certainty and security for investors. The Commission is delighted to launch this consultation and we welcome all contributions.”

Commenting on the launch of the consultation, ACE chief executive Dr Nelson Ogunshakin, said: “ACE very much welcomes the National Infrastructure Commission’s efforts to take stock of the status quo as well as fully account for the UK’s needs regarding future infrastructure. With the NIA currently set to occur once a parliament, this is a great tool for government to continually refresh our understanding of the status of UK infrastructure asset class, allowing for the allocation of needed resources to secure and strengthen UK Plc's international competitiveness."

Details of the consultation and how to respond can be found here.

Responses to the consultation should be sent to NIAEvidence@nic.gsi.gov.uk by 5 August 2016.