City AM’s Post

Power up your afternoon with this week’s current affairs from Copper’s Friday Feed! 🚉 Catch up on the latest rail news, which includes a proposed new railway line from Belfast to Derry/Londonderry, VolkerRail’s first major contract with Scotland’s Railways, and the Transport Secretary’s serious concerns over CrossCountry Trains' performance. 🚗 Get the latest updates from the roads sector with Octavius’ new contract in Cambridgeshire, the government investigations into finance options for the£9bn Lower Thames Crossing project, and National Highways’ completion of the A585 in Lancashire. ⚡ In energy, get the details on the largest-ever investment in GB transmission approved by Ofgem this week, Greenpower and Railplan’s new project in North Argyll, and the struggles faced by a new energy recovery facility in North London. 🏠 Discover more in property news such as the latest on a new ‘Labour Style’ town in Oxfordshire, Hyde’s renewal of its framework, and a new £300m residential and logistics facility in Fulham. 💧 Finally, read about the news from United Utilities' £1.75 billion Haweswater Aqueduct scheme, Southern Water’s £2.3bn infrastructure scheme, and a proposed tidal barrier project in Somerset. Read the latest here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dN9fPKRu #Construction #Transport #Property #Renewables #Infrastructure

Chancellor puts transport and energy infrastructure at heart of Government’s plans for economic growth Chancellor Rachel Reeves has promised to take immediate action to fix the foundations of the UK’s economy and wants the Secretaries of State for Transport and Energy Security and Net Zero to prioritise taking decisions on critical infrastructure projects which are with them now. In her first speech as Chancellor, Rachel Reeves pledged to leaders of some of the UK’s pioneering industries to build growth on strong and secure foundations built on stability, investment and reform, and forged through a new partnership with the private sector. The government has announced a series of measures to lay the foundations for a dynamic, modern and growing economy, including taking urgent steps to build 1.5 million homes over the next five years and the immediate removal of the de facto ban on onshore wind in England, as part of its clean energy mission. Read the full story along with industry reaction on the Transport + Energy website: https://lnkd.in/e4Y7Nsu8 The Labour Party , Keir Starmer , Rt Hon Rachel Reeves , Louise Haigh MP Martha Lane Fox , British Chambers of Commerce David Thomas , Barratt Developments plc Keith Anderson , ScottishPower Henrik Lundgaard Pedersen , Associated British Ports Mark Reynolds , Mace Kate Kenny , Jacobs Tom Glover , RWE Andrea Rossi , M&G plc Chris Cummings , The Investment Association Rob Perrins , Berkeley Group Plc Christopher Hammond , UK100 , Liam W. #transport #energy #infrastructure #investment #economy #government

Writing in The Irish News, EY Northern Ireland Director in Government and Infrastructure, Dr Kaine Lynch, discusses the opportunity to deliver the infrastructure legacy for the next generation in Northern Ireland. You can read more here: https://lnkd.in/eFYkRAnh #EYNI

🚀 Key Announcements from the Chancellor's First Speech! The Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP delivered her first speech as Chancellor on July 8th, promising immediate action to rebuild Britain's economy. Here’s a summary of the key points affecting the planning sector: 📈 Growth-Focused Planning System Consultation on revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) will start by the end of July. 📄 Local Plan Coverage and Green Belt Review A Written Ministerial Statement will push for universal local plan coverage and regular Green Belt reviews. 🏗️ Ministerial Interventions in Development Decisions Ministers can now directly intervene in key development decisions with substantial economic benefits. 🏡 1.5 Million Homes Over Five Years The Government commits to delivering 1.5 million homes, focusing on increasing social housing. 📋 300 New Planning Officers 300 new planning officers will be recruited, funded by an increased stamp duty surcharge for non-UK residents. 🔋 Critical Infrastructure Policy and New National Policy Statements Consultation on a revised critical infrastructure policy will begin soon, with new National Policy Statements expected within the year. 💨 Lifting the Ban on Onshore Wind Infrastructure The ban on onshore wind infrastructure will end, with a consultation on integrating these projects into the NSIP regime. 🔌 Prioritising Stalled Energy Generation Schemes Decision-making on stalled energy generation schemes will be prioritised, extending the spatial plan for energy. 🚇 Expediting Key Infrastructure Projects The Departments for Transport and Energy Security will fast-track key infrastructure projects. 🏘️ Task Force for Accelerated Development A new Task Force will accelerate development on stalled sites, including over 14,000 homes in various locations. The rapid pace of these announcements is encouraging. We look forward to seeing these changes progress swiftly. However, the devil will be in the detail which will become apparent as the various consultation documents are launched and the other initiatives are progressed. Please get in touch if you want to discuss how your business can benefit from and capitalise upon these forthcoming changes to the planning system. Rapleys #development #realestate #planning #townplanning #greenbelt #property

Three from three - the last of a trio of articles on the UK's planning reform. Each one well worth a read, with their industry sector focus. This last one is all about infrastructure and unlocking much needed on-shore developments.

My experience tells me the infrastructure problem in the UK is too vast to be controlled by one body. We need simple policy guidelines implemented by regional or departmental planning and procurement organisations. The one thing that absolutely will not work is if individual sponsor organisations and departments plough their own furrows. The “gates” treasury and other hurdle authorities stick in their way don’t help to unblock the log jam they will only make them worse. What we need is a real commitment to a program of delivery, backed by committed capital and competent planning and procurement - then and only then - once we have a pipeline of projects coming to the market will momentum be eastablished.

A national programme management program organisation, lead by experts and enabled through legislation and proper governance/ mandate - would undoubtably be a step change from expecting managers of various departments/ organisations and the like to give up their day job to ‘be client’ - but as pointed out - the hurdle of ‘full approvals before funding’ would put a fear of incredible delay in delivery - cynically ‘to slow’ actual spend and delivery. Mission based government - will only work when the right balance of leadership, courage, truth and competence are brought together, with the right finances and realistic timescales - all accountable beyond the political influence/ tinkering and electoral cycle….

Christopher Luxon has announced the Coalition Government’s Q3 Action Plan for New Zealand for 1 July – 30 September 2024.   The new plan sets out 40 actions, with a key focus on making Kiwis safer and restoring law and order. The plan also intends to deliver “high quality infrastructure that will drive economic growth, boost productivity, and enhance our way of life”.   Key priorities from the Q3 Action Plan for New Zealand’s construction, infrastructure and energy sectors include:   🔷 Passing the second Local Water Done Well Bill requiring councils to deliver plans for financially sustainable water services, replacing the previous Government’s Three Waters regime. 🔷  Taking Cabinet decisions on a framework for city and regional deals, legislation to support time-of-use charging to reduce congestion, establishing a new National Infrastructure Agency, the Fast Track Bill and the future scope of RMA reform. 🔷 Introducing legislation to eliminate barriers to overseas building products being used in New Zealand (as signposted earlier this year). 🔷 Opening the $1.2 billion Regional Infrastructure Fund for applications to help reduce New Zealand’s longstanding infrastructure deficit. 🔷 Releasing the draft of the second Emissions Reduction Plan. Please get in touch if you’re interested in any further information.

The role of private credit looks set to become even more vital for infrastructure financing. From supporting population growth, the transition in energy sectors, as well as infrastructure projects more broadly, private credit continues to fill the gap. Learn more about the role of private credit in infrastructure: https://on.pru/3X1CzKl

Writing in the Irish News, EY Northern Ireland Director in Government and Infrastructure, Kaine Lynch discusses the opportunity to deliver the infrastructure legacy for the next generation in Northern Ireland. Read more here -