ICE private roundtable: delivering major transport projects — national and local challenges

The ICE convened a private roundtable bringing together senior infrastructure leaders and the Rt Hon Richard Holden MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport.

The discussion provided an opportunity to engage directly with a range of industry experts as Holden develops his priorities.

The session focused on the delivery of major transport projects in the UK, with participants invited to reflect on the systemic barriers affecting performance at national and local levels.

Discussion centred on strengthening long-term confidence in the pipeline, addressing fragmented governance, and improving how value is defined and delivered, alongside the impact of planning, regulatory and capability constraints.

The roundtable took place in the context of major infrastructure policy change over the last 18 months.

The 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy (10YIS), Infrastructure Pipeline and recent recommendations from the Competition and Markets Authority formed the basis of the discussion.

Key messages

Strategic clarity and pipeline confidence

While strategic frameworks are emerging, inconsistent project pipelines and short funding cycles continue to limit industry confidence, investment, and the ability to retain skills. A stable direction of travel, even where detailed plans cannot be fixed over the long term, is needed. 

Governance, decision-making, and fragmentation

Empowering delivery bodies and reducing duplication would support faster and more effective project delivery.

Environmental standards

A consistent framework, with planning, trade-offs and environmental requirements agreed at an earlier stage of the project, could improve certainty and maintain public confidence.

Shifting from outputs to outcomes

Measures that focus on specific types of transport or individual actions can blur the wider economic, social and environmental value of projects. Focusing on outcomes would support decision-making and better showcase the benefits of infrastructure.

Skills, capability, and culture

Gaps in public sector capability, combined with uncertainty in the supply chain and a focus on technical performance over long-term value, can reduce efficiency and limit innovation.