CECA issues five-fold plan to new mayors

Civil engineering contractors in the Midlands have called on the region’s newly elected mayors to support infrastructure-led growth with a five-fold plan.

The Midlands branch of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) outlined a list of recommendations to Richard Parker, elected as the new mayor for the West Midlands this month, and Claire Ward, elected as the inaugural mayor of the East Midlands.

CECA called on the winning candidates to:

• Deliver existing project pipelines, maintain investment commitments and champion future infrastructure growth.
• Call for an 18-month ‘fix’ on investment in the period before and after elections.
• Support the development of a high-level English Transport Strategy which works with Sub-National Transport Bodies (including Transport for London), integrates with the devolved nations and delivers firm five-year capital settlements complemented by indicative five-year funding.
• Establish industry-led local infrastructure and construction partnerships to support the evolution of the now largely defunct Local Enterprise Partnerships. [The Government ceased funding LEPs in April].
• Lobby to reinstate plans for the delivery of HS2 in full, the acceleration of the delivery of Northern Powerhouse Rail and the TransPennine route.

CECA Midlands director, Lorraine Gregory said: 'Infrastructure has the potential to transform the Midlands for the better, by delivering sustainable economic growth, creating jobs, and boosting connectivity.

'Our region is fortunate to now have two directly elected mayors, who must now put infrastructure at the heart of their policymaking to deliver improved outcomes for the communities they represent.

'We stand ready to work closely with both Midlands mayors and our member companies to ensure projects are delivered on time and on budget, to drive economic growth, create employment, and lead to better outcomes for families and businesses across the region.'