NIC
West Midlands 5G pilot ‘welcome step’ towards successful national rollout
Ministers today confirmed that the West Midlands is to become the UK’s first-ever multi-city testbed for 5G mobile technology – matching a key recommendation from the National Infrastructure Commission to support its nationwide rollout. Digital Minister Margot James announced plans for an initial £25million towards the pilot, to be matched by the West Midlands Combined...
Water companies’ efforts to tackle leakages can look even further into the future
Water companies today set out their plans for improving services between 2020 and 2025, with the aim of cutting bills, improving water quality and reducing leakages. The Manifesto for Water published by Water UK outlines plans to cut bills by more than four per cent in real terms across England, and cut leakages by more...
Access to real-time rail information offers improvements in infrastructure data sharing
Real-time information of rail journeys across the country is to be made available to tech firms, to develop travel apps for passengers in the future. Rail Minister Jo Johnson and Rail Delivery Group chief executive Paul Plummer published the Joint Rail Data Action Plan, which sets out obligations and deadlines for delivering closer working between...
Which? findings demonstrate need to invest properly in future broadband services
Research published today by consumer group Which? shows that the majority of broadband providers have cut the speeds they offer in their marketing, following changes to advertising rules. The study finds that since the introduction of new rules by the Committee of Advertising Practices in May, 11 suppliers have cut the advertised speeds of some...
Ofgem proposals a good first step to preparing the UK for more electric vehicles
Sir John Armitt today welcomed moves by energy regulator Ofgem to prepare the UK’s electricity network for the onset of electric vehicles. The chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission said the proposed initiatives would help ensure current grid capacity is used to maximum effect, and would contribute towards meeting one of the key recommendations from...
Armitt: support for offshore wind an important step towards a renewables future
A pipeline of auctions supporting offshore wind energy projects will help the UK maintain its leading position in the field, Sir John Armitt said today. The chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission said today’s decision by the Government mirrored recommendations in the recently-published National Infrastructure Assessment – the first of its kind for this country....
New Telecoms Review will help deliver full fibre to all communities
Sir John Armitt today welcomed Ministers’ plans to help ensure homes and businesses across the UK have the latest full-fibre broadband connections by 2033 – mirroring recommendations in the UK’s first-ever National Infrastructure Assessment. The chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission said the measures in the Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review would “ensure every community will...
Armitt: Government support for our recommendations will transform how we collect and use infrastructure data
Sir John Armitt today welcomed plans from Ministers to adopt recommendations from the National Infrastructure Commission, to use data to improve the condition and running of the nation’s infrastructure network. The Government will be adopting three of the Commission’s recommendations from last year’s report, Data for the Public Good, to set common standards for data...
Commissioners on the National Infrastructure Assessment
The National Infrastructure Assessment Sir John Armitt CBE said: “Whether it’s electric or driverless cars, new energy sources, tackling the risk of climate change or preparing for the newest and fastest broadband speeds, the issues we’ve been considering profoundly affect people’s everyday lives. “The whole purpose of the UK’s first-ever National Infrastructure Assessment is to...
Ministers must seize the “golden opportunity” to switch to low cost energy
Britain has a “golden opportunity” to switch to greener ways of providing energy to homes and businesses without increasing bills – but only if Ministers act now to make the most of it. That’s a key finding from today’s National Infrastructure Assessment – the first ever for the UK – published by the National Infrastructure...
Exhibition opens to showcase ideas for developing the Growth Arc
A new exhibition opens today, showcasing the range of ideas put forward to transform the Arc which spans Cambridge, Milton Keynes and Oxford. The Exhibition of Ideas launches at the Transport Systems Catapult in Milton Keynes, and offers residents across the Arc the chance to see for themselves the entries to the National Infrastructure Commission’s...
Date set for UK’s first-ever National Infrastructure Assessment
The UK’s first-ever National Infrastructure Assessment will be published on Tuesday 10 July, Sir John Armitt confirmed today. The chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission said it would be “a watershed moment” in the delivery of infrastructure in this country. The Assessment will analyse the UK’s long term infrastructure needs up to 2050, and make...
New report highlights significant potential to boost cycling in Cambridge and Oxford
New protected bike lanes are urgently needed to stop Oxford and Cambridge “seizing up”, a new report written for the National Infrastructure Commission recommends. Chief executive Philip Graham said Running out of Road, published today, “highlights the important role cycling could play in connecting communities”. The study, by former Transport for London cycling commissioner Andrew...
Armitt welcomes MP backing for Heathrow expansion
Chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission Sir John Armitt today welcomed MPs’ backing for the expansion of Heathrow Airport, signalling a crucial milestone in delivering one of the UK’s most significant infrastructure projects. MPs voted 415 to 119 in favour of building a third runway, to increase the UK’s overall airport capacity and help expand...
New exhibition will give Growth Arc residents a chance to see ideas for the area’s future development
Residents of Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes and Oxfordshire will have the chance to see the ideas put forward for the future development of their area, at a new exhibition launching this Summer. The “Exhibition of Ideas” will take place at the Transport Systems Catapult in Milton Keynes and will feature entries to the...