Changes outlined in the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail will make it easier for contractors to deliver projects thanks to clearer planning and better relationships, according to industry experts.
The publication of the new plan, off the back of the long-delayed Williams Rail Review, detailed a new arms-length public body similar to Transport for London, called Great British Railways. The body will oversee both track and services across the network, meaning it will own the infrastructure, collect fare revenue, run and plan the network, and set most fares and timetables.
WSP managing director for transport and infrastructure Charlie Hodgson said the plan “provides the opportunity for a joined-up strategy”, by bringing track and train operations “under a single guiding mind”. He said the change would improve the planning of maintenance and enhancement work on train tracks, and make engineering works simpler to plan. He added that Great British Railways would provide “clear li
In yesterday s speech, the Queen outlined the government s aim to deliver a national recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic that makes the UK stronger, healthier and more prosperous than before .
To achieve this, the government intends to pass 30 bills into law in the next year.
Here is a round-up of some of the key bills for the construction and infrastructure sector.
High Speed Rail (Crewe – Manchester) Bill
The bill will provide the powers to build and operate the next stage of the High Speed 2 (HS2) network from Crewe to Manchester. This will create thousands of jobs and help the country build back better from the Covid-19 pandemic. It will bring cities closer together, boost productivity and provide a low-carbon mode of transport and alternative to planes.
By Tom Lowe2021-05-11T13:43:00+01:00
Major planning overhaul at centre of government’s agenda for the year
Sweeping reforms to planning laws were at the centre of today’s Queen’s Speech as the government set out its agenda for what could be a watershed year for the construction industry.
The Planning Bill is now set to be brought before parliament this autumn and is expected to include proposals to scrap Section 106 agreements and replace it with a new Infrastructure Levy.
The pared-back event saw just over 70 people hear the Queen outline the government’s upcoming legislation plans in the House of Lords earlier today
The UK Government is not collecting data on the use of cash retentions in the public sector, it has emerged.
The hands-off approach to the divisive issue of retentions in the industry was highlighted in a series of written answers to parliamentary questions published this week. They also revealed that it offers no guidance on the topic to procuring bodies and has no plans to include it in its Construction Playbook, which sets out best practice for public contracts.
Construction commentator Rudi Klein said the answers show the government is doing nothing to curb “retentions abuse”.
Lord Martin Callanan, a junior minister at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, said on Tuesday that the government is working with the Construction Leadership Council “to identify a sustainable strategy on retentions”.
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