Ministers have reiterated their commitment to developing major infrastructure projects as they unveil £600bn worth of investment over the next decade.

Central to the success of the £600bn pipeline is a renewed focus of implementing more modern approaches to construction as the government calls for expertise to advise on greater use of cutting-edge techniques.

As the sector continues to fall behind it rivals in terms of productivity, policy makers are keen to apply more manufacturing approaches in the hope of boosting levels and reducing waste by as much as 90%. Manufacturing components in factories using the latest digital technology before being sent for assembly on construction sites is one example of achieving this.

The mass investment programme within the government’s national infrastructure and construction pipeline include the £28 billion national roads fund, as well as other flagship projects like East West Rail, upgrading the M6 to a smart motorway and Hornsea Project One – the largest offshore wind farm in the world.

Commenting on the pipeline, chief executive of the Infrastructure and Projects Authority, Tony Meggs, reaffirmed how important government was in driving productivity as the largest client for infrastructure projects.

“We recognise there is significant momentum within the sector to scale up the adoption of more modern and innovative practices and it is the role of the IPA to help coordinate this approach across new infrastructure projects,” he added. “We would like to hear from a range of industry experts on government’s proposals for a Platform Approach to Design for Manufacture and Assembly.”

Today’s announcement is part of proposals which ministers hope will contribute to the government's objectives outlined in the Industrial Strategy, the Construction Sector Deal and the Transforming Infrastructure Performance programme, including a presumption in favour of offsite construction announced at Autumn Budget 2017. 

As part of efforts to be the driving force in offsite construction, four government departments have already embedded the principle into their practices including the Ministry of Defence, the Department for Health and Social Care, the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Education.

The exchequer secretary to the Treasury, Robert Jenrick added: “We are committed to renewing our infrastructure to drive economic growth in all parts of the United Kingdom. Over the course of this parliament, investment in economic infrastructure will reach the highest sustained levels in over 40 years. And as the pace of technological change accelerates, we are stepping up our commitment to digital infrastructure, use of data to drive greater productivity and embrace new methods of construction.”