APM urges long-term plan to deliver vital UK Infrastructure Projects

The Association for Project Management (APM) has issued a response to the National Infrastructure Commission’s (NIC) 2024 Infrastructure Progress Review. APM echoes the concerns raised in the report, highlighting the need for a robust, long-term plan to ensure successful delivery of critical infrastructure projects across the UK.

The report reflects growing industry anxieties about the increasing difficulty of delivering projects. While ambition exists, government initiatives are hampered by skills shortages, supply chain disruptions, and a general lack of confidence.

The uneven progress across different infrastructure sectors is particularly concerning. Timely completion of these projects is essential for unlocking economic growth and achieving crucial climate goals.

Andrew Baldwin, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at APM, commented: “Years of instability have reduced confidence in investment, but drastic policy U-turns like on HS2 are simply aggravating the issue. We must now assume instability is a given in project planning to enable us to prepare and gain more control over fluctuations.

“Under-resourced project teams limit project delivery across the country, so we want to see a drastic increase in the supply, and training, of project professionals.

“Transparency is needed across the sector to champion accountability, enable effective decisions, and achieve value for money in projects.”

“APM backs the NIC’s call for an effective long-term plan, which builds confidence, strategises delivery, and places project professionals at the forefront, enabling the UK to deliver essential projects which meet critical targets.”

Key priorities for improving infrastructure project delivery:

• Increased Investment in Project Professionals: A significant boost in the number of qualified project professionals, along with targeted training programs, is crucial to address current resource limitations.
• Enhanced Transparency: Promoting transparency across the entire infrastructure sector fosters accountability, facilitates informed decision-making, and ensures projects deliver value for money.
• Long-Term Planning with Clear Strategies: This is support for the NIC’s call for a well-defined, long-term plan that instills confidence, outlines clear delivery strategies, and empowers project professionals. Such a plan is essential for the UK to deliver the essential infrastructure projects required to meet its critical targets.