Recommendation 116

We heard about similar experiences for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, although Simon Blanchflower, former Chief Executive Officer of EastWest Rail Company, said that for major projects the access to support is better if one engages “at a sufficiently senior level”. 157 The Planning Inspectorate shared examples of challenges securing agency attendance at hearings or inquiries, especially where robust evidence in opposition to agency advice had been offered. 158