The Government has launched its new Infrastructure Pipeline. Following the launch, Chris Ball, UK & Ireland President, AtkinsRéalis, has shared his comments.
Chris said: “The publication of UK infrastructure project pipeline is a major milestone that businesses across the industry will celebrate: we finally have visibility of programmes planned over the next decade so that we can plan, recruit, train and invest accordingly.
The pipeline paints a picture of potential: its 775 projects and £531bn of planned investment represent an unprecedented opportunity to bring growth and social opportunities to every corner of the UK, and combined with planning reforms and recent funding announcements, many regional projects can feasibly move to development stage within the next two years. Combined with investment in local jobs and clearly-defined social value outcomes for each project, this is what we mean when we describe infrastructure as a catalyst for economic growth, bringing forward economic benefits into communities.
Many of the engineers, planners and contractors who will deliver those future projects are still in school today: this pipeline is also a rallying call to industry to energise our skills, education and early years programmes further, attracting more people into the sector and creating jobs and investment in skills across every region of the country.
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.”
