Civils contractors welcomed news that Chancellor Rachel Reeves is to implement reforms to judicial review to support the faster delivery of nationally significant infrastructure projects.
Commenting, Director of Policy & Public Affairs for the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) Ben Goodwin said: “CECA welcomes the Chancellor’s commitment to drive forward reforms that can support the faster delivery of the nationally significant infrastructure the UK urgently needs.
“For too long, the ability to deliver major projects has been constrained not only by slow decision-making, but by uncertainty after consent has been granted. While the right to legitimate legal challenge must be protected, it is in nobody’s interest for critical schemes to be delayed by repeated or unmeritorious challenges once they have already been through a robust consenting process.
“Greater certainty around the judicial review process will help give contractors, clients and investors the confidence they need to plan, resource and deliver complex projects. This matters not only for energy infrastructure, but for the transport, water, utilities and wider civil engineering schemes that underpin economic growth across the UK.
“Today’s announcement is a welcome recognition that delivery must sit at the heart of infrastructure policy. If the UK is serious about improving productivity, strengthening energy security, supporting regional growth and securing best value from public investment, then we must create a system that enables vital projects to move from approval to delivery without avoidable delay.”
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