Mott MacDonald’s Post

An interesting read below from Thomas Knight on some of the major infrastructure projects Mott MacDonald are involved with which were name checked by the Chancellor yesterday. A few other key points of interest I picked up from the speech yesterday outside of the main infrastructure investment announcements: - "We will introduce a new approach to planning decisions on land around railway stations, changing the default answer to yes". - "We will review the green book and how it is being used to provide objective transparent advice across the country". We have lots of UK schemes 'on the shelf' waiting for funding. Hopefully this will move a few more of them in the right direction.

It is unusual to see any strategic transport study published in late August. Today's report by Juergen Maier CBE FRS FREng for Louise Haigh MP and the new Government is unusual in both its seriousness and honesty about the systemic challenges for UK transport investment. The recommendations start to get to grips with what has gone wrong in the commissioning, delivery and cost control of transport infrastructure projects in the last 20 years. Very sensible recommendations on getting a national transport strategy in place, aligned to a national industrial strategy, with reform to the planning system and the role of sub-national transport bodies. This is such a welcome change from the performative policy announcements that have become the norm in recent years: a recognition that Government has a clear role to set a strategy, to make sustainable proposals for funding it, and to set the conditions which help the private sector deliver it efficiently. The analysis of cost control, the role of Government as client, and the importance of private investment to support delivery show how many difficult decisions are still to be made. A big commitment to devolution - need to know more about scheme assessment as part of this, so that local priorities for growth, housing and regeneration get as much weight as nationally-assessed conventional transport benefits. The Government has many essential decisions to take on devolution, northern rail investment, HS2 and unlocking private investment in major projects to support growth. Transport investment should be the starting point for plans to kickstart UK growth. Engaging with the findings of this report will be a good place to start in doing that. https://lnkd.in/ebAnhGBu #infrastructure #transportstrategy #railways #northernpowerhouserail

Is there a link between investment in Rail infrastructure and productivity at a broader scale? A topic I was discussing with my colleague Katie Hulland today… and it really got us thinking, maybe the measures are less tangible (maybe?) but the link is clear… The idea that better rail infrastructure doesn’t influence productivity the misses a critical point - Efficient transport networks are the backbone of any thriving economy. Inadequate rail investment creates bottlenecks, reducing access to jobs, markets, and opportunities, especially for regions outside London. This disparity not only stifles economic growth but also fuels regional inequality, inherently undermining government's ‘levelling-up’ agenda. We know the U.K. consistently lags behind other developed nations in infrastructure spending. According to OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) data, the U.K has underinvested in rail compared to countries like Germany and France, where high-speed networks and regional connectivity are prioritised. Meanwhile, reports from IPPR North highlight that public transport investment remains heavily skewed toward London, receiving over £1,500 more per person than regions like the North of England. This imbalance worsens economic disparities, slowing down productivity growth outside the capital. Let’s take an example of travel times between key Northern cities - such as Liverpool to Hull - which remain slower than routes between London and European capitals like Paris, limiting business expansion and regional opportunities. Closing these gaps isn’t just about fairness; it's about unleashing potential. Evidence shows that infrastructure upgrades encourage private sector investment, enable businesses to grow, and foster greater employment opportunities across the U.K. Without bold, sustained investment in rail infrastructure, particularly in regions historically neglected, the U.K’s productivity will struggle to match that of global competitors. Government’s globally have made bold statements to build a more balanced economy, meaning realigning transport funding is not just desirable but essential. #Rail #RailSector #Investmemt #levellingUp #Infrastructure

Our report Driving Investment in Rail Infrastructure calls on the government to engage with industry and the investment community to explore all funding options for new rail investment, and adopt a whole systems approach to rail infrastructure, looking at planning, funding, and delivery from a whole country perspective. Our subsequent Rail Summit brought together speakers to discuss the conditions necessary to attract private capital into the rail sector, including how to foster a culture of collaboration, align incentives, and ensure a stable pipeline of investible projects, which will mean that the UK can secure the private investment needed to deliver the infrastructure of the future. #rail #railway #railinvestment #connectivitymatters #economicgrowth #lowcarboninfrastructure #economy #highspeedrail #railinfrastructure https://lnkd.in/e6xkCgjY

Interesting piece on high speed rail in the Guardian: even after the business case is approved we need to continue to engage with communities about the case for the #SocialValue of the investment (assuming these have driven the business case....) https://lnkd.in/gUdAAiin

Enroute Statement on the Chancellor’s Speech 29th July 2024   Enroute is concerned by the deployment of a narrative by the Chancellor that capital investment should be cut to ‘balance the books’, at a time when the Government should be investing in our sustainable transport system to grow the economy, tackle transport inequality and cut carbon emissions. We are extremely disappointed to see the cancellation of the “Restoring Your Railway” scheme (RYR). RYR was far from perfect, as we have highlighted in our work, but we believe the scheme had the potential to be expanded and simplified, in order to actually deliver rail reopenings across the country, reconnecting towns and villages that have been left isolated by poor transport, and thus expanding access to a sustainable public transport network for all. The Chancellor claimed cancelling the remainder of the programme will save £76m, suggesting that of the original £500m allocated, £424m has now been spent, mostly on the construction of the Northumberland Line and on feasibility studies for other lines (we are seeking further detail on this through a Freedom of Information request). We believe the RYR fund should have been expanded, and would have been a useful political instrument to present expansion of the network. We are relieved to see HS2 to Euston was not mentioned, contrary to some media reports over the weekend. We are, however concerned that, as things stand, there is no definitive commitment to ensure high-speed rail will reach Euston in a timely manner, as the previous Government’s policy was that this could only be delivered with private funding. We will be releasing a further statement on high-speed rail concerning Euston and Crewe shortly. We welcome the news that some road expansion projects have been put on hold, as we believe investment and political focus should go to sustainable transport investment and not road expansion.

Dr. Harm Hauke Ross will share his expertise at New Zealand Rail Conference and give a presentation on the topic “Innovative rail financing options-Lessons learned from Europe”. “Rail is an important part of New Zealand’s efficient and sustainable transport network and recent studies estimate that the rail industry generates around NZD 3.3bn in economic value each year. At the same time, rail is a CAPEX intensive industry requiring long term financing solutions” says Harm. “To meet this investment demand, it’s vital to consider diverse funding sources that are suitable for different project constellations. At KfW IPEX-Bank we have a profound experience in mobility finance worldwide and during the presentation you will learn about numerous rail finance case studies from Europe illustrating innovative long-term financing solutions.” The 2024 New Zealand Rail Conference will provide project and policy updates from key industry speakers, showcase the latest technology and innovation for the industry at the exhibition. More information & registration: https://lnkd.in/dmnmHsy7 #MobilityFinance #Rail #Railway #NZRail #NZRail2024 #IPEX | Informa Connect Australia

A ‘Rail and Urban Transport Review’ commissioned by the Labour Party while in opposition has published recommendations to accelerate the unlocking of benefits from rail and urban transport infrastructure investment, calling for a greater role for private funding. Read More >>> https://lnkd.in/ehn_puDQ #RailandUrbanTransportReview #LabourParty #UrbanTransportInfrastructure #PrivateFunding #TransportInfrastructure

*The Chancellor's Economic Growth Announcements: Opportunities & Challenges Ahead* Rachel Reeve is aiming to boost economic growth through several key initiatives: ✈️ Reviving the third runway proposal at Heathrow Airport 🛤️ Investing in the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor 💧 Constructing New Reservoirs These projects will present both opportunities and challenges for landowners and occupiers in these areas. The Chancellor is pushing for “spades in the ground” within this parliament, likely increasing the use of CPO powers. Additionally, there’s an acceleration of renewable energy projects on productive farmland and significant changes to IHT APR & BPR for farmland and business property assets, set to take effect in just over a year. What impact will these combined changes have on land management in the affected regions? Strategic business decisions will be crucial in the coming years. At Briggs & Stone, we have extensive experience in navigating these issues and are here to advise and support you through these transitions.