UK infrastructure ‘not as safe as public thinks’ - ICE report

In its latest State of the Nation report, the ICE said that maintenance of existing infrastructure should be a higher government priority than commissioning new projects. The UK’s creaking transport network and water infrastructure in particular need attention, with long-term planning and strategic investment required to improve safety and supply.

The report calls on ICE members to be honest about the risks of ageing assets. A stark sentence reads: ‘Parts of the network are perhaps not as safe as the public thinks while some structures should have usage restrictions, but don’t.’   

“Now is the time to establish a clear vision of how infrastructure can contribute to a better future for the UK,” said Professor Jim Hall, ICE president.

“We need real prioritisation and long-term strategic thinking, and we need to apply creative solutions to the challenges we face. All this needs to be supported by committed investment.”