As the Institution of Civil Engineers prepares to launch its forward looking infrastructure initiative, the National Needs Assessment (NNA), later this month, HBPW Partner, Jon Livesey, says it is vital that personal political agendas are not allowed to take precedence over ‘country needs’.
ICE has been instrumental in leading the NNA which aims to deliver a 30 year view of the assets and services the UK will need to thrive in the global economy between now and 2050.
The foundation of the project is a detailed analysis of long term drivers of demand.
Jon Livesey said: “The forward looking nature of the NNA is vital if the UK is to maintain its position as a global economic player. However, there has to be a note of caution in the run up to October 19 when it is formally launched.
“The Assessment will be key to bringing politicians to an understanding of what is actually required as opposed to what they think is required!
“All too often we see politicians who are too ready to sacrifice the needs of the country in order to further their own ambitions, or, quite simply, they advocate an incorrect course of action through a gross misunderstanding of reality.”
He said that the UK’s infrastructure needed to be determined by those best placed to make such judgements.
“Deficiencies in infrastructure, as much as what is needed to correct such inadequacies, should be driven by people who genuinely understand either what is missing, what is under performing or where changes need to be made in order to create improvement.
“This will not only prevent politicians from ‘politicising’ infrastructure – a dangerous game to play when a country’s economy is at stake – but it may also help drive the focus away from the South East and help create a more balanced approach across the rest of the country.”