Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 9
9
Within the National Infrastructure Strategy, the government also announced the initiatives that had come out...
Conclusion
Within the National Infrastructure Strategy, the government also announced the initiatives that had come out of Project Speed, which it set up over the summer to review the infrastructure project life cycle and identify where improvements could be made in delivering them faster. These initiatives include measures such as reforms to the planning system and environmental regulations, streamline approval processes, and transforming the construction sector through better use of data and modern construction techniques.13 We were concerned that accelerating programmes could hinder the proper scrutiny and development of major projects. The IPA was optimistic about these initiatives, and told us that Project Speed had brought a focus to the duration of certain processes, and was not an excuse to go too fast in delivering programmes. For example, it pointed to variations in the time projects take to achieve their approvals, with some projects achieving approvals in half the time of others, even under existing legislation.14
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
1.4 HM Treasury has also established Project Speed, in collaboration with 10 Downing Street and the IPA, to deliver infrastructure projects better, greener and faster. Around 85 Project Speed reforms were announced in the National Infrastructure Strategy in November 2020. The department is now focused on implementing these reforms alongside developing new options to ensure the government is able to deliver on its investment commitments in a timely manner.