Civils contractors today welcomed the launch of an ‘Acceleration Unit’ to speed up the delivery of transport projects and said that bringing infrastructure schemes forward to market is the fastest route to economic recovery for the UK.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps today announced the creation of the unit within the Department for Transport, alongside £360 million of investment in roads and railways to build back better from COVID-19.
Commenting, Director of External Affairs for the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) Marie-Claude Hemming said: “Since the economic impact of the pandemic has become clear, CECA has been arguing for the acceleration of infrastructure schemes as the best means of driving growth in the economy.
“Today’s announcement – alongside Highways England’s Delivery Plan for the Second Roads Investment Strategy which will be published later today – is to be welcomed as the Government must have a laser focus on kick-starting growth in the months ahead.
“We look forward to engaging with the DfT’s Acceleration Unit with our members, to ensure everything possible is done to speed up schemes across the UK, which will drive economic growth, create jobs, and secure the recovery of the UK economy.”
< ENDS >
