ICE in Budget call for more roads

Leaders of the Institution of Civil Engineers are urging the Government to use next month's Budget to push through new road spending under the National Infrastructure Plan.

ICE hopes the  National Infrastructure Plan can deliver world class infrastructure for the 21st century - enabling the UK to compete in a modern world, creating jobs and economic growth.

But it called on the Chancellor to “avoid complacency” and translate plans into projects for the nation, through a package of new measures in the Budget.

The calls echo concerns from the CBI this week that more must be done to persuade pension funds that infrastructure presents a sound investment and for Government to put more “flesh on the bones” of the infrastructure plan in the coming Budget.

ICE Director General, Nick Baveystock (pictured), said: “Government has taken many positive steps in the last year to place UK infrastructure at the heart of its plans to stimulate our economy and improve our quality of life.

"However there is no room for complacency. UK infrastructure, despite improvements, should be better and the coming Budget will be pivotal in showing Government’s commitment to that.

“We hope to see the Chancellor announce some measures that will build on the recent progress by enabling the actual delivery of this plan – importantly this includes measures which hold Government to account on its progress both in terms of achieving the milestones of the plan itself and on its efforts to attract private finance.

“Demonstrating accountability and setting up regular, high profile, public reporting on progress – especially through independent processes and forums - will give investors more confidence in this important plan and a platform for continuous dialogue between industry, investors and Government."