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Leading industry bodies have responded positively to a new government report designed to tackle the issue of cyclicality of investment in water infrastructure.
The Treasury's 'Smoothing investment cycles in the water sector' study makes a number of recommendations concerning changing the industry culture, making planning more effective and improving communication.
Commenting on the development, Nelson Ogunshakin OBE, chief executive of the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE), praised the move to rectify the current "unsustainable" system.
"ACE welcomes the recognition of these challenges and the desire to smooth the cyclical nature of investment, which should result in reductions in cost and improve skills retention," he said.
However, Mr Ogunshakin added that cooperation would be required in order to effect positive change.
"The proposals are a good step in the right direction, but a comprehensive solution will require regulators, water companies, engineers and government to establish strategic pipelines for projects and to agree funding for these over the long term," he added.
His words were echoed by director of external affairs at the Civil Engineering Contractors Association, Alasdair Reisner, and director-general of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Nick Baveystock.
Author: Editor Gavin Pearson (gpearson@acenet.co.uk or 0207 202 0255)
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