EEF NW comment on National Infrastructure Plan

Darrell Matthews

Commenting on todays National Infrastructure Plan, Darrell Matthews, North West Region Director at EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, said: "Today's refresh moves the National Infrastructure Plan closer toward a delivery document, with more detail set out on the top 40 projects and the rationale behind them. We now need to see an even greater focus on untangling the challenges in the development of the projects to get them moving."

"Most of the projects announced today will be completed in the next Parliament. Government should learn from current experience and start to look forward at what our infrastructure requirements beyond that will be. This will ensure a smooth transfer between projects for the infrastructure supply chain, enabling long term capability and investment to be built up."

On the announcement of a National Networks National Policy Statement, due to be published this month Darrell Matthews added: "This is welcome news, as there is currently no national policy statement for our road or rail networks which would help to accelerate the development of project proposals in these areas. This clarity is long overdue and will be welcomed by the supply chain industry."