Cllr Martin Tett, the LGA’s Transport spokesman, responds to the launch of the National Infrastructure Assessment.
“Good infrastructure enables improved competitiveness and quality of life but requires long-term planning.
“Today’s launch of the country’s first National Infrastructure Assessment is the first step in ensuring that our businesses and local communities have the transport networks, flood protection, digital connectivity and vital utilities for the coming decades.
“It is positive that the report recognises the important role of local government and some of the barriers that prevent councils from doing more to plan for the long-term infrastructure needs of their areas. In particular, we support the call for councils to have stable, devolved infrastructure budgets, as Highways England and Network Rail have, together with the ability for councils to capture a greater share of the uplift in land value that comes with infrastructure investment for the benefits of local people.
“It is important the Government now works with local government to take forward the recommendations from this important report.”