The newly formed Infrastructure Commission has launched a new Call for Evidence relating to critical infrastructure challenges…
Last week, interim chair of the National Infrastructure Committee launched a Call for Evidence relating to three of the UK’s major infrastructure challenges.
Lord Andrew Adonis launched the call during a two day visit to the north of England with Transport for the North CEO David Brown. During the visit they went to the cities of Sheffield, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, and Newcastle, seeing first hand seeing a number of challenges facing the regions.
Adonis said: “To make the north a powerhouse once again we need a new era of infrastructure investment.
“The National Infrastructure Commission will look broadly at long-term needs and provide impartial advice to government and Parliament.
“I am delighted that the Call for Evidence is being launched in the north of England. We have seen great steps forward in the north’s infrastructure, including Airport City in Manchester and the new deep water port in Liverpool.
“This Call for Evidence will support the Commission to make the infrastructure of the north greater still.
Brown also commented. He said: “TfN brings together transport authorities and business leaders across the North of England, allowing the North to speak with a single voice on big transport decisions to benefit the region as a whole.
“Building on the work which has already been done to develop a northern transport strategy, we will be submitting a strong case to Lord Adonis’ commission for pan-northern, transformational investment in transport infrastructure.
“We welcome the support of the National Infrastructure Commission and Government which will enable us to drive forward our ambitious agenda to transform Northern connectivity, benefiting businesses as well as individuals and driving economic growth in the region.”
Industry, local and regional government, NGOs, and the public are invited to submit views on three areas. This includes northern connectivity, London’s transport systems, and energy.
The commission is seeking feedback on the future of the north’s strategic transport infrastructure, in particular how to improve connectivity between cities.
It also hopes to gain insight into the strategic options for investment in London’s transport system such as Crossrail 2, which would span into the south west.
Lastly, it aims to discover new ideas for tackling energy supply and demand across the UK.
The process, which started last week, will remain open until the 8 January 2016. Following the consultation the commission will then publish a review before the Budget.