This year’s CBI/AECOM infrastructure survey makes one thing clear - in the face of uncertainty, businesses want to see infrastructure delivery at the heart of the Government’s agenda. To boost the UK’s competitiveness globally, while improving productivity and living standards at home – the country needs high-quality developments in infrastructure. #
There is no doubt that Government shares this ambition for the UK - schemes such as the expansion of Heathrow Airport and Crossrail are world-class projects that provide beacons of success and innovation - vital to the country’s ability to compete on a global stage.
According to Department for Transport a new runway will increase the number of UK airports connected to Heathrow and safeguard existing domestic routes. Heathrow is the UK’s biggest port by value, accounting for 30% of all non-EU trade, and its expansion will enable even more opportunities for UK businesses to reach new markets.
Road delivery tops the lists of priorities - the survey finds that 92% of respondents see this as important, of which 35% see it as critical. Taking into account the lack of overall confidence in road improvements - this is perhaps no surprise. Delivering the current Road Investment is seen as the most important priority across all transport issues.
In order for the £500bn pipeline of infrastructure projects to come to fruition, the industry need to attract and retain people with the right skills – this includes new and innovative offsite construction methods. And while many may see the skills shortage as a crisis, it could be a very real opportunity to innovative and use more technically advanced methods of construction.
Despite the backdrop of Brexit and political uncertainty - this year’s survey shows, it is clear that more needs to be done to raise confidence and up the pace in which infrastructure is delivered. Now is the time to accelerate action.
Explore Offsite Infrastructure
Taking place on 05 December 2017 at the NEC, Birmingham - is a major opportunity to hear directly from high profile clients that are working on some of the largest infrastructure projects and using some of the latest offsite construction techniques.
With the government delivering over £500 billion in major UK infrastructure developments, the Government’s Major Projects Portfolio reflect the priorities for making the UK’s infrastructure fit for the 21st Century. These projects represent a major opportunity for those in construction focused on the infrastructure sector.
Phil Wilbraham, Expansion Programme Director for Heathrow Airport - accountable for delivering Heathrow’s third runway along with the infrastructure to support it - will present a Case Study on Heathrow’s £16bn Expansion Plans.
Maggie Brown, Innovation Manager for EDF Energy Hinkley Point - responsible for setting up and running the Innovation Programme – will present “The Death of the Dinosaurs”.
Ed Newman-Sanders, Technical Director for Atkins together with Cameron Corsby, Project Engineer for Laing O'Rourke – will discuss and share expertise on the Crossrail Custom House Station project.
John Spittle, UK Representative for Wiehag – will present a case study on the Crossrail Abby Wood Station projec
David Bray, A14 Project Director and Willie McCormick, A14 Section 2 Project Lead for Highways England, who have both successfully delivered major infrastructure projects within complex working environments – will present Highway England’s Development of an Offsite Manufacturing Capability.
These speakers will be joined at Explore Offsite Infrastructure by an outstanding line-up that includes: Joshua Southern – KPMG, Steve Kaye - Anglian Water Services, Dr Chris Goodier - The Centre for Innovative and Collaborative Construction Engineering, Stephen Wells - Mace Group, Jaimie Johnston - Bryden Wood.
Click here to view the full conference programme and book your place [http://exploreoffsite.co.uk/2017-events/explore-offsite/]
