CIHT: Budget Response
CIHT welcomes the Budget outlined today, in particular its continued focus on infrastructure and the role this plays in the UK’s economic development. The Government has outlined that £30billion is to be invested in transport projects.
The National Infrastructure Plan 2010 highlighted the important role that transport and infrastructure as a whole has to play in future economic growth. CIHT welcomes the quarterly publishing of a rolling 2 year forward programme of construction and infrastructure projects outlined in the Budget.
Key items that have been raised that affect the highways and transportation sector include:
£100m for repairing potholes in England
CIHT believe that although welcomed this figure will not impact on the current backlog of reinstatement that exists. Local Authorities have seen their expenditure substantially cut, the real cost of delays due to poor quality infrastructure and the cost of accidents are high and one of the main priorities for any government has to be the maintenance of our existing network.
As National and Local budgets are being squeezed by ever increasing pressures, preventative maintenance can provide efficiency savings in the long term for the highway authority. The introduction of long term asset management plans to maintain highways in an appropriate condition at a minimum whole life cost are essential as reactive maintenance is extremely inefficient.
£200m support for regional railways in England
CIHT fully supports this increase for regional railways. The benefits of encouraging society to switch to other modes would have positive health benefits through the support of walking and cycling as well as a reduction in the carbon emissions from individual’s travel.
£2bn extra funding for Green Investment Bank – to launch in 2012
CIHT supports the creation of a national infrastructure investment bank. The benefits of being able to attract additional capital for infrastructure projects should have a positive impact on the delivery of some of the infrastructure that the UK requires. CIHT will wait to see how this Institution operates after its establishment in 2012.
40,000 new apprenticeships for young people out of work
Funding for 100,000 work experience placements
CIHT welcomes the above initiatives and the impact they could have on the next generation of highways & transportation engineers.
With fewer graduates entering the industry and an aging professional population, UK Governments need to continue to support apprenticeship schemes as a way of attracting new entrants, providing training relevant to industry’s needs, and assisting the UK to compete successfully in global markets.
Funding for 12 further university technical colleges
CIHT is pleased that there has been some commitment to the further education section. UK Governments also need to recognise and support the contribution made by Further and Higher Education and consider incentives to encourage young people to pursue careers in engineering and related occupations.
Streamline the system for planning applications and introduce new fast-track planning for major infrastructure
CIHT welcomes any changes that make the planning system more efficient whilst encouraging investment in the UK’s infrastructure. Any changes to the planning system will have to take account of the legislation outlined in ‘The Localism Bill[1]’ reveals a movement towards decision making being placed in the control of those at a local level. CIHT believes that localism in this definition needs to take into account the regional / national impact of transportation projects.
Notes for Editors
Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation
CIHT is a membership organisation representing over 12,000 people who work in the highways and transportation sector.
CIHT members design, build, operate and maintain best-in-class transport systems and infrastructure, whilst respecting the imperatives of improving safety, ensuring economic competitiveness and minimising environmental impact.
CIHT supports its member’s professional endeavours by:offering training, information, professional development and support promoting the value added to society by the profession being the focused voice to Governments and other decision makers on transportation expertise and knowledge.
For more information please contact:
Daniel Isichei, Director of Communications, CIHT on t: +44 (0) 20 7336 1567 m: 07912122573 e: Daniel.Isichei@ciht.org.uk
Regards
Daniel Isichei
Director of Communications
t: +44(0)20 7336 1567
f: +44(0)20 7336 1556
Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation
119 Britannia Walk
London
N1 7JE
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