19th Jun 2025 14:36
(Alliance News) - A review of the design, planning and delivery of UK road and railway infrastructure projects has been launched.
Regulator the Competition & Markets Authority, CMA, said its inquiry will examine whether there are opportunities to enhance how the public sector and industry work together.
It is hoped this will lead to improvements in procurements process, enabling more cost-effective infrastructure schemes.
Road and railway projects account for around 70-75% of government spending on infrastructure that helps the economy.
The market study will focus on the full lifecycle of roads and railways, including their enhancement and maintenance.
It will exclude HS2 because it has undergone multiple reviews amid delays and spiralling costs.
The launch of the review comes as the government set out a 10-year infrastructure plan.
CMA Chief Executive Sarah Cardell said: "There's no question that reliable, high-quality infrastructure is critical in accelerating economic growth.
"To achieve this, public authorities and the civil engineering sector must be able to work together to deliver projects on time, within budget and to high standards.
"This review is a crucial step in identifying barriers holding back the sector."
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones said: "Upgrading the country's economic infrastructure is essential for unlocking growth across the country and delivering our Plan for Change.
"This study will build on our 10-year infrastructure strategy and help us deliver growth with its evidence-based, independent findings."
By Neil Lancefield, PA Transport Correspondent
Press Association: Finance
source: PA
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