UK Autumn Budget 2024: Industry reactions on infrastructure funding and skills shortages
The UK Government’s recent Autumn Budget has drawn mixed responses from the infrastructure and transport sectors, largely because of a blend of ambitious project funding alongside concerns over skills shortages and funding adequacy. Key infrastructure projects include the High Speed 2 (HS2) tunnels, the TransPennine Route Upgrade, and the East-West Rail between Oxford and Cambridge, all of which are expected to boost connectivity and economic growth.
In a New Civil Engineer article, Jonathan Edwards, GHD’s EMEA Market Development Leader, acknowledges the importance of efficient public transport in supporting housing targets and improving community outcomes. However, he emphasised the need for a full government commitment to deliver on these plans.
Transport in the UK only works if the rail industry does, and it should start with more radical reform and funding for change and delivery.
“The chancellor has yet to reassure the industry that transport is at the top of the agenda. We need policy and funding from the government to enable a long-term plan for our critical national infrastructure.
“The government can’t afford to hit the brakes and must enable the private and public sectors to work at speed to deliver its transport goals.”
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GHD es una empresa líder en servicios profesionales que opera en los mercados mundiales de agua, energía y recursos, medio ambiente, infraestructura y edificaciones, y transporte. Comprometidos con la visión de garantizar que el agua, la energía y las comunidades sean sostenibles para las futuras generaciones, GHD ofrece soluciones en consultoría, servicios digitales, ingeniería, arquitectura, medio ambiente y construcción a clientes del sector público y privado. Fundada en 1928 y propiedad de sus trabajadores, GHD cuenta con una red de más de 12.000 profesionales en más de 160 oficinas en cinco continentes.