Civils contractors today welcomed the UK Government’s announcement of a new £165 million fund to unlock stalled housing and employment sites by funding the road infrastructure needed to get developments moving.
The Government has said the new Growth and Housing Accelerator Fund will help bridge funding gaps holding back sites across England, with a focus on locations on or near motorways and major A-roads. The fund forms part of the Government’s Road Investment Strategy 3 and is intended to support the wider ambition to deliver 1.5 million new homes during this Parliament.
Commenting,Director of Policy & Public Affairs for the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) Ben Goodwin said: “This is a welcome intervention from Government. Too often, viable housing and employment developments are delayed not because the demand is not there, but because the enabling infrastructure needed to support them has not been delivered in time.
“Targeted investment to unlock these stalled sites can make a real difference. If the Government is serious about getting housing projects moving faster, then backing the infrastructure that makes development possible is exactly the right approach.
“But funding announcements alone are not enough. The real test will be whether this support can be deployed quickly, clearly, and in a way that gives local authorities, developers, and the wider supply chain the confidence to plan ahead.
“CECA has consistently argued that housing growth and economic growth depend on a whole-systems approach to infrastructure. Roads matter, but so do utilities, flood protection, digital connectivity and wider site readiness. For new communities and employment sites to succeed, infrastructure must be considered early and delivered in a coordinated way.
“Our members stand ready to work with Government, National Highways, local authorities and industry partners to ensure this fund translates into visible progress on the ground. With the right pipeline visibility and a focus on swift project delivery, this initiative can help unlock homes, jobs and growth in communities across the country.”
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