BITA Rail Division Co-Chair, Robert Cullen of PWM UK on the HS2 news.
Infrastructure at a Crossroads
With party conferences underway and the next general election on the horizon, infrastructure investment has taken centre stage. The recent scrapping of HS2 has disrupted supply chains and underscores the risk of policy shifts on major long-term projects.
To address the UK’s infrastructure needs over the next 50 years and beyond, there must be a coherent vision from all parties. Infrastructure underpins competitiveness, economic growth, and levelling up across regions.
Leaders must put forward concrete plans on critical questions including:
- Should major projects be cross-party commitments not subject to political winds?
- What is the status of HS2 and Great British Railways given their importance for capacity and connectivity?
- How will investments be balanced between regions?
- What is the strategy for modernizing ageing infrastructure across transport, energy, broadband, and more?
- How will environmental sustainability be incorporated?
- What steps will expand infrastructure skills training?
Infrastructure is no longer just concrete and steel, but also next-gen digital networks. Planning must have a 50-year horizon to deliver the roads, rail, power systems, EV charging, broadband, and other foundations. The industry needs long-term, cross-party thinking from leaders to build the sustainable infrastructure needed for continued prosperity and opportunity of the UK.