{"id":152664,"date":"2025-07-02T07:24:03","date_gmt":"2025-07-02T06:24:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/?p=152664"},"modified":"2025-07-02T14:14:55","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T13:14:55","slug":"strict-deadlines-supply-audits-could-help-britains-infrastructure-delivery-backlog","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/planning-construction-news\/strict-deadlines-supply-audits-could-help-britains-infrastructure-delivery-backlog\/152664\/","title":{"rendered":"Strict deadlines and supply audits could help Britain’s infrastructure delivery backlog"},"content":{"rendered":"

A new report from the Council on Geostrategy\u2019s Caudwell Strong Britain programme has found that the UK is falling behind our European counterparts on infrastructure delivery<\/h2>\n

National objectives of securing economic growth and energy security are being impeded by an infrastructure delivery backlog, according to new research from the Council on Geostrategy.<\/p>\n

The research finds Britain is struggling to build the major infrastructure projects it needs to achieve growth and prosperity. Examples cited include the Elizabeth Line, which was four years late and \u00a34bn over budget, and the Lower Thames Crossing, currently two years delayed and at least \u00a33.5bn over budget.<\/p>\n

Alongside others, these projects are too slow and bureaucratic, risking the delivery of essential policies, such as Net Zero and economic regeneration.<\/p>\n

The UK\u2019s motorway system is also far behind peer nations across Europe, regardless of the metric used \u2013 whether kilometres (km) of motorway by population or land area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Country<\/td>\nIn terms of km of motorway per 100,000 people:<\/td>\nIn terms of km of motorway per 100km2<\/sup> of land area:<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Spain<\/td>\n35.6<\/td>\n3.4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Portugal<\/td>\n29.4<\/td>\n3.4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
France<\/td>\n17.4<\/td>\n2.2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Germany<\/td>\n15.8<\/td>\n3.7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Italy<\/td>\n11.9<\/td>\n2.3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
UK<\/strong><\/td>\n5.4<\/strong><\/td>\n1.5<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Bureaucracy, delays and legal challenges all impact the planning process<\/h3>\n

The problems come partly from an ineffective planning system. Delays and bureaucracy are the main issues with the process, impacting project viability and national timelines for essential policy ambitions. Legal challenges also prevent effective delivery.<\/p>\n

The report notes judicial review affects around 58% of all infrastructure projects in recent times, compared to a historical average of 10%. This forces developers into prolonged consultation before applications and providing excessive documentation to mitigate the risk of legal challenge.<\/p>\n

Alongside the planning system, there are also interconnected challenges of policy instability, high industrial electricity costs and a shortage of construction workers.<\/p>\n

Recommended policy changes to reduce the infrastructure backlog include:<\/h3>\n