Infrastructure
London First Infrastructure Commission
The London First Infrastructure Commission has been set up to consider the challenges and opportunities involved in the provision of strategic infrastructure for London.
Read the Call for Evidence
London faces a number of significant challenges to effective infrastructure operation and delivery. Pressure will be placed on existing networks as more people live in and move around the city. By 2031, London’s population is forecast to grow by over one million, resulting in up to 900,000 new households and 600,000 new jobs. This comes at a time when there will be very considerable pressure on public expenditure.
All major competitiveness indices rate infrastructure as a significant issue in determining a city’s success. For London to remain a leading world city as it emerges from the recession it needs world class infrastructure – principally water, waste, transport, energy and ICT - that will support the city’s quality of life, competitiveness and economic growth.
The Infrastructure Commission will develop recommendations for regulators, local government and national government for the short, medium and longer terms, drawing on both supply side and demand side perspectives.
Infrastructure Commission members - biographies
- Chair – Martin Stanley, Head of Macquarie Funds Direct
- Terry Hill, Chairman, Global Transport Market, Arup
- Nick Pollard, Chief Executive Officer, Bovis Lend Lease
- Ann Bishop, Managing Director, Indepen
- Dr. Timothy Stone, Chairman, Global Infrastructure Projects, KPMG
- Sir Adrian Montague, Chairman, London First
- Prof. Tony Travers, Director, LSE London, London School of Economics
In January, the Commission issued a Call for Evidence, inviting business leaders and stakeholders to make written submissions, based on their expertise and experience as well as wider observations on London’s long-term infrastructure needs. After the initial consultation period, the Commission will invite experts to give oral evidence at individual hearings. Conclusions and key recommendations of the Infrastructure Commission will be published in late 2010.
The call for written evidence closed on 12 February, but we are always interested in hearing your views. Please contact Anna Ridler for further information.
Useful links - other recent London First activity on infrastructure
For UK Growth, For Business, For London - London First's business manifesto for the general election 2010 emphasises that, while many areas of current and capital spending support growth, infrastructure investment is particularly important and must be maintained by the next Government
- London First's business manifesto for the general election 2010 emphasises that, while many areas of current and capital spending support growth, infrastructure investment is particularly important and must be maintained by the next Government• Supporting UK growth while balancing the budget – This report focuses on the major challenges the government will face in returning to a balanced budget while supporting sustainable long-term economic growth. It covers efficiency gains, frameworks for decision making, tax policy and maintaining planned investment in London’s transport infrastructure.
• Holding the line – the economic benefits of modernising the Tube – This report sets out how improvements in passenger experience could be made along with economic benefits of modernising the Tube in tandem with delivering Crossrail.
• Cutting the capital’s carbon footprint: Delivering Decentralised Energy in London - one year on – This report that builds on London First's 2008 recommendations for ways to meet the Mayoral objective to decentralise a quarter of London's energy provision by 2025.
• Imagine a world class Heathrow - A London First-commissioned study of the regulatory controls governing Heathrow airport suggests potential short and medium term solutions to restore Heathrow to world class status.
