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A powerful new alliance has been launched for the North West, bringing together six of the UK’s most influential construction and engineering bodies.
The North West Construction Industry Alliance has formed, comprising the Institution of Civil Engineers, Civil Engineering Contractors Association, Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation, the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors and the Association for Consultancy and Engineering.
Together these groups represent the region’s £9.5 billion construction and engineering sector. The six groups have a combined membership covering 8000 professionals involved in the construction and civil engineering profession across the North West
NWCIA will aim to emphasise how the industry can and should be a major driving force in the region’s economic recovery.
NWCIA chairman Ian Robinson is pleased to say that the new alliance is committed to ensuring project planning and delivery continues to function effectively as the sector deals with changing legislation and the nation’s current financial constraints.
He said: “We aim to achieve this by offering the benefit of proven industry advice and expertise to customers and clients such as Local Enterprise Partnerships, Local Authorities, utility providers and public and private sector organisations,” said Mr Robinson.
“As planning laws are being relaxed, and while Local Enterprise Partnerships are taking shape across the region, this will bring significant changes in the way vital infrastructure like schools and hospitals will be procured, delivered and maintained.”
NWCIA is already in dialogue with the developing Local Enterprise Partnerships and key customers across the North West with a view to sharing information and developing best practice.
Government has been keen in recent years to see groups work together to represent whole industries where possible, and this move reflects that in the North West.
Mr Robinson acknowledged this, noting that the alliance provides an overdue single point of contact for industry customers across the North West. It can serves as a one stop shop, offering impartial professional advice and promoting partnership and best practice for effective and timely project planning and delivery.
The chairman said: “We’re committed to working with our customers and partner organisations like LEPs, local authorities and community groups to find the most cost effective ways of delivering the infrastructure and amenities that will assist economic growth and maintain the collective quality of our lives.”
For more information on NWCIA, visit www.nwcia.org or email info@nwcia.org
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