The UK Government has just published its National Infrastructure Delivery Plan which sets out its plans for economic, housing and social infrastructure over the next five years.
It is supported by government’s commitment to invest over £100 billion by 2020-21, alongside private sector investment of a similar value. The plan can
be accessed here.
Infrastucture projects in the plan include well publicised projects as HS2 and Crossrail 2, as well as completion of the electrification of the railway
from London to Cardiff and Phase 1 of East West Rail.
Interestingly, the Plan recognises the £600 million of benefits to society through improved biodiversity and local environments arising from investment
in flood and coastal erosion risk management. There must though, with a combined public and private investment of more than £200 billion, be a much
greater opportunity to derive a higher level of benefit to society through improving biodiversity and the environment alongside the infrastructure
development, which could be achieved through great design rather than additional expenditure.
