Civils contractors today welcomed the announcement of a new Government-owned property company to unlock £1 billion worth of development on Britain’s surplus railway land.
The new company, ‘Platform4’, will bring together the development arms of London & Continental Railways and Network Rail, and will deliver up to 40,000 new homes over the next decade by disposing of surplus rail land, attracting private investment and accelerating community regeneration.
Commenting, spokesperson for the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) and Director of CECA Midlands Lorraine Gregory said: “Our members will welcome this approach, which promises to take a whole-systems approach to infrastructure delivery, and which must ensure that investment in housing is matched by early and coordinated investment in the transport, digital connectivity, and utilities that communities need to thrive.
“This initiative provides a significant opportunity to regenerate underused land in a way that delivers for communities and businesses.
“CECA members stand ready to transform these sites into connected, resilient communities that will both generate economic growth and improve lives.
“For housing development to deliver we must ensure that the right infrastructure is in place to support it from day one. That means utilities, roads, flood protection, digital networks and green space – planned and delivered as an integrated whole.
“The establishment of Platform4 comes at a time when the need for regeneration is more urgent than ever.
“Across cities like Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Cambridge – where some of the first sites are located – the opportunity to create mixed-use, transit-connected communities is within reach.
“We look forward to working with Platform4, government at all levels, and other stakeholders, to ensure this initiative becomes a model for infrastructure-led development that leads to better outcomes for communities by creating jobs, homes, and opportunities.”
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