A pre-General Election Manifesto for Infrastructure has been published by The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), which warns that a failure to prioritise infrastructure projects could end up in “other competing nations taking our edge and the UK’s resilience diminishing”.



In the ICE’s manifesto it is argued that no matter which company wins the election, the development of existing and construction of new infrastructure must be the focal point of economic planning to creating long term sustainable growth for the UK.



ICE predicts that the next government will seek to rebalance the UK’s economy by boosting the position of the city regions outside the south east and argues that this will be achieved best by investing in the construction of transport links will have to be a huge part of this project.



The document also foresees problems with policy-making co-ordination with the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish executives which could further dampen economic growth with a lack of joined-up thinking on infrastructure investment.



The ICE Manifesto highlights 10 key policies for the next government:

* Create an independent infrastructure body – ideally by restructuring existing Treasury body Infrastructure UK to reduce delay and uncertainty. It says the body should report to Parliament on the cost of infrastructure projects to consumers to determine their value for money, prioritising projects that offer “the greatest socio-economic benefits”.

* Act on the forthcoming Davies Commission recommendations to resolve the UK’s aviation hub issues.

* Work with local authorities to clear the road maintenance backlog.

* “Future proof” new infrastructure by embedding resilience into criteria used to make decisions on which projects go ahead.

* Implement Energy Market Reform fully and smoothly to entrench cross-party support for electricity decarbonisation.

* Commit to a long-term maintenance investment programme for flood risk management.

* Accelerate the devolution of transport powers by creating city-region transport authorities responsible for roads and all public transport.

* Commit to increasing the quality – not just the quantity – of apprenticeships so that young people achieve a qualification which sets them up for life.

* Ensure Ofsted rigorously inspects schools’ careers guidance so the range of “STEM” paths available, including vocational and technician roles, are communicated to students.

* Establish an Office for Resource Management in government to entrench a “circular economy” ethos across all departments and promote resource management as a driver of growth.



ICE director general, Nick Baveystock, said: “The benefits of infrastructure investment are now well established across political divides, resulting in some welcome schemes and initiatives and infrastructure rightly positioned high on the political agenda.



We are, however, at a critical time – where the scale of the UK’s needs is large and growing, public finances remain tight and we are slowly emerging as an attractive market for infrastructure investment – it is vital therefore that we do not lose impetus.



“Whichever party wins the General Election, infrastructure should form a central plank of its economic policy – building on the progress already made and using infrastructure to realise the UK’s full economic potential. Failing to give it a front row seat, or opting for shorter term electoral wins, could lead to other competing nations taking our edge and the UK’s resilience diminishing.”

Download the ICE Manifesto for Infrastructure