The National Infrastructure Commission has called on the government to tackle the three Cs of congestion, capacity, and carbon
Infrastructure chief says influential commission will remain committed to tackling thekey challenges of “congestion, capacity and carbon”
Sir John Armitt was today named as the new permanent chair of the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC), stepping into the role vacated by Lord Andrew Adonis’ resignation from the influential advisory body.
Armitt was appointed deputy chair of the Commission last year, having been appointed to the body when it was established in 2015.
He said he was delighted to step up to the role of chair ahead of the publication of its first National Infrastructure Assessment later this year.
He also stressed that the body would continue to play a key role in meeting the UK’s carbon targets.
“Making the right choices about planning and investing in infrastructure is critical to the UK’s prosperity and quality of life,” he said in a statement. “I want the Commission to remain focused on tackling the long-term issues of congestion, capacity and carbon – and to continue to hold the government to account where decisive action is needed – so we can secure the improvements that companies, communities and families need.”
Armitt is one of the UK’s foremost infrastructure experts having served as chief executive of Network Rail and president of the Institution of Civil Engineers.
He was also chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority, which was credited with ensuring the 2012 London Olympics became a showcase for sustainable development and clean technologies.
He replaces Lord Andrew Adonis who resigned as chair late last year in protest at the government’s Brexit strategy and the controversial decision to allow Virgin East Coast Trains to exit its franchise agreement earlier than planned.
The NIC has previously called on the government to step up efforts to deliver low carbon infrastructure, publishing a wide-ranging report last autumn arguing the UK needed to both upgrade rail, road, and digital infrastructure, while also delivering new low carbon infrastructure, such as a cleaner power grid, electric vehicles, green heating systems, and improved recycling capacity.
