UK construction sector sees near–record upturn across all sub-sectors
The UK construction industry opened 2014 with its best month for almost six-and-a-half years, according to PMI™ data for January – with house building, commercial activity and civil engineering all see near-record growth rates.
CBI warns over faltering speed of delivery on infrastructure
The CBI, the UK's leading business organisation, is warning that businesses are concerned that two years of positive Government infrastructure policy announcements will not translate into delivery on the ground and could undermine the return to sustainable growth.
Report calls for dedicated infrastructure quango
Britain must establish an independent National Infrastructure Commission to end decades of drift and delay on major infrastructure decisions, according to a Labour-commissioned review carried out by Sir John Armitt.
ICE puts infrastructure challenges on the agenda at party conferences
The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) is joining forces with engineering and construction bodies again to represent industry at the party conferences this September and October.
Rising costs a threat to growth, contractors warn
Civils contractors today warned that rising costs and skills shortages are emerging as new challenges as prospects for the infrastructure sector improve.
HS2 could increase flood risk
The proposed route for High Speed 2 crosses miles of floodplains and could exacerbate flood risk in some areas, the Sustainability Statement for part of the scheme has revealed.
Uganda Selects IBM and Waterfund to benchmark water infrastructure
Waterfund LLC and IBM today announced that they have signed an agreement with the Ministry of Water and Environment of the Republic of Uganda that makes the country the first in Africa to become a member of the pioneering Water Cost Index (WCI).
Report says urgent need for infrastructure spend to kickstart UK economy
A new report for the Civil Engineering Contractors Association has reinforced the need for infrastructure investment to strengthen the UK economy – the country is now falling seriously behind other global economies.
MPs warn infrastructure plans lack clarity, rigour and priority
In a new Report published this morning, MPs have sharply criticised the lack of focus in the Government’s Infrastructure Plan, saying that they are “not convinced that the current proposals represent a rigorous plan with clear priorities for action or with a clear programme for delivery.”
Chinese firms target UK water and wastewater infrastructure
An article in this morning’s South China Post says that Chinese companies are increasingly pursuing investment opportunities in big British infrastructure projects – including the water and wastewater sector.