Public engagement on infrastructure will be essential to the delivery of future projects, Sir John Armitt said today.

Speaking at the International Symposia for Next Generation Infrastructure, the deputy chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission described this as one of the biggest challenges for the sector, but one that must be addressed.

He argued that the public is ultimately one of the country’s biggest investors in infrastructure – whether through taxation, pension fund investment or directly through paying to use the final product.

Deputy chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission Sir John Armitt said:

“Whether through taxation, charges or pension funds, the public pay for meeting our infrastructure needs – and we must do more to make them aware of the challenges we face.

“Across the sector, we all need to do more to consult and listen to a wide range of views to ensure we identify where the needs are, and to secure the support of the public as one of the country’s biggest infrastructure investors.

“And if people are to suffer the disruption and delays that construction inevitably causes, it’s only right that we seek to help them see the benefits that those major projects are seeking to bring.”