Alexander unveils NIP alliance
24 September 2012
A new forum to progress projects in the National Infrastructure Plan (NIP) has been launched by Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander.
Speaking at an event at the Liberal Democrat party conference in Brighton, Alexander unveiled the National Infrastructure Plan Strategic Engagement Forum, which will see some of the largest industry bodies working with the Treasury to deliver major infrastructure projects.The new body will be co-chaired by Alexander on behalf of the government and the Association of Consultancy and Engineering’s (ACE) Nelson Ogunshakin, on behalf of the Infrastructure Alliance – a group of four trade bodies, including the ACE, the Civil Engineering Contractors Association, the Construction Products Association and the Institution of Civil Engineers.
“Delivering such an ambitious programme of infrastructure expansion on this scale means bringing government and industry together to successfully achieve this goal,” said Ogunshakin. “This new National Infrastructure Plan Strategic Engagement Forum will place the expertise of industry at the heart of government to make that happen.”
“Establishing the UK’s first ever National Infrastructure Plan was a victory in itself, but the challenge now lies in actually delivering it,” added ICE director-general Nick Baveystock.
“Providing potential investors with confidence that the plan is progressing, and quickly identifying and resolving problems will be central to achieving that and ICE has long called for a permanent, independent forum to act as platform for this dialogue.”
The new forum will be officially launched in October.
