NIC
Call for input to shape vision for the future of rail in the Midlands and the north
The National Infrastructure Commission has today invited businesses, passengers, transport experts and regional leaders to share their ideas for transforming the rail landscape of the north alongside the East and West Midlands and help create a lasting legacy from the construction of High Speed 2 (HS2). The Commission has launched a new call for evidence which kicks off its work on a Rail Needs Assessment covering large parts of England and stretching north to Scotland. This assessment will inform the government’s plans for an Integrated Rail Plan for the the Midlands...
Water resources framework offers “bold vision” for future drought resilience
The Environment Agency has today published its National Framework for Water Resources. This aims to help reduce demand, halve leakage rates, develop new supplies, move water to where it’s needed and reduce the need for drought measures that can harm the environment. Commenting on the framework, Commissioner Dame Kate Barker said: “With demand for water...
Response to Budget 2020
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has set out the government’s spending plans in the Budget. In response, Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission Sir John Armitt said: “The government’s level of ambition is welcome, and we look forward to seeing how the National Infrastructure Strategy will build on this in addressing the UK’s long term...
New technologies could offer cheapest route to a net zero electricity system
Analysis published today by the National Infrastructure Commission suggests that increased investment in new technologies such as low carbon hydrogen generation could be the best way to deliver low cost power to UK consumers while also helping reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Detailed modelling using the latest available industry data suggests that...
Statement on reported delay to National Infrastructure Strategy
Media reports today indicate that the government is to delay publication of its National Infrastructure Strategy, which was to be published alongside next week’s Budget. In response Sir John Armitt, Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission said: “Naturally we are disappointed about the further delay in the government’s formal response to the National Infrastructure Assessment,...
2020 must be year of action following “decidedly mixed” progress on infrastructure priorities
Recent announcements on infrastructure spending must be set within a proper long term strategy in order to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past and to meet the challenge of climate change, according to the National Infrastructure Commission’s annual report on government progress towards key infrastructure objectives. The report notes a surge in recent announcements...
James Heath appointed National Infrastructure Commission’s Chief Executive
James Heath, currently Director of Digital Infrastructure at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the National Infrastructure Commission. James led DCMS through the Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review and Telecoms Supply Chain Review, and had overall responsibility for broadband, mobile and telecoms security policy, and the Government’s...
Sir John Armitt speech to All-Party Parliamentary Group on Infrastructure
Sir John Armitt addressed MPs and Peers at a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Infrastructure in the House of Commons, saying that ministers should take their “golden moment of opportunity” to make firm decisions on developing sustainable infrastructure beyond HS2 and accelerate existing planned projects as part of the government’s forthcoming National Infrastructure...
Armitt: Government’s infrastructure strategy can’t stop at HS2
Ministers should take their “golden moment of opportunity” to make firm decisions on developing sustainable infrastructure beyond HS2, the Chair of the government’s independent infrastructure Commission has said today. Sir John Armitt, Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, told MPs and Peers that existing projects which pass environmental and financial muster should be accelerated as...
High Speed 2 given go-ahead
The Prime Minister today confirmed the government is to proceed with the High Speed 2 rail project between London, the midlands and the north of England. The government has further indicated it seeks to ensure HS2’s full integration with existing and future transport links in the north, informed by an assessment to be undertaken by...
Passengers facing second-class mobile connectivity on UK rail network
Passengers will continue to experience inadequate mobile services on the UK’s railways due to slow government progress in fixing gaps in connectivity. The National Infrastructure Commission today warns that progress on mobile connectivity on rail has stalled since the government accepted the findings of the Commission’s 2016 Connected Future report. It is calling for clear...
Infrastructure should “celebrate our nation’s ambition,” says Stirling Prize winner as she throws down new design challenge for the industry
Professor Sadie Morgan, Chair of the National Infrastructure Design Group, has today thrown down a challenge to everyone involved in major projects to embrace new principles to enhance the quality of the nation’s infrastructure. The UK’s first ever Design Principles for National Infrastructure, developed by the expert Design Group, seek to embed four key considerations...
Ofgem decarbonisation action plan a welcome step forward
The energy regulator Ofgem has today published its decarbonisation plan for the UK’s energy sector to support the growth of EVs, promote growth in offshore generation and unlock investment in green technologies. Its plan sets out nine actions to ensure energy networks can deliver the UK’s net zero emissions goals, including a programme to decarbonise...
Speedy action needed on EVs charging (letter)
National Infrastructure Commission Chair Sir John Armitt has today written a letter to the editor of The Times, in response to its article on the challenge of preparing for the expected growth in electric vehicles in the UK, part of a series of articles on the theme of ‘Electric Britain’. The text of his published...
Young pioneers sought to help shape UK’s infrastructure
Do you want to support the Commission work and help it to be the UK’s most credible, forward-thinking and influential voice on infrastructure policy and strategy? If the answer’s yes, then the Commission wants to hear from you. It is now actively recruiting members for the next Young Professionals Panel (YPP). From finding innovative ways...