Press Release – 17th December 2019
Ed Evans, Director of CECA Wales, says :
“This long period of instability in UK politics coupled with flawed austerity policies has led to one of the worst periods of under investment in infrastructure in living memory. We’re now calling on the UK Conservative Government to deliver on its pre-election promises to “turbo charge” the economy by investing heavily in infrastructure.”
“We want to see non-devolved projects in the energy sector, such as Wylfa Newydd and tidal energy, given a new boost to secure low carbon energy sources. We want to see Wales receive a fair “Barnett” dividend from the UK Government’s investment in HS2 so that we can invest properly in our own rail services. And we want to see clarity on the UK Government’s proposed “Shared Prosperity Fund”, which is intended to replace EU Funds, so that Wales doesn’t “lose a single penny”. This will allow us to invest in new transport schemes, extend broadband connectivity, upgrade the grid system to support local renewable energy generation and deliver the infrastructure our nation needs.”
“With civil engineering workloads decreasing, future orders decreasing, employment decreasing but costs increasing it’s a really difficult time for businesses. We need the UK Government to deliver on their promises and turn this tide around.”
“It’s time to see action to instil some much needed confidence in a sector that provides so many high quality jobs, underpins the foundation economy in Wales and builds the infrastructure we need to develop as a nation.”
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Notes to Editors
- The Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) Wales Cymru represents 60 of Wales’ largest and smallest civil engineering contracting businesses with a cumulative annual turnover in excess of £1bn and employing over 6,000 people. These businesses play a huge part in supporting communities across Wales and make a significant contribution to the economic prosperity of our nation. Our members are also major providers of training and apprenticeship opportunities.
On a more fundamental level it is our members who will build the infrastructure that our nation needs to prosper.