New research reveals disconnect between infrastructure needs and public concern
14 Apr 2014 02:42 PM
The public need to be
convinced that tough choices on upgrading national infrastructure are
necessary, according to a new poll of more than 1000 members of the public by
Ipsos MORI for the CBI.
The research shows that the
government and businesses need to do a much better job of explaining the
UK’s infrastructure investment needs, shifting the focus to why it
matters locally and what benefits projects will bring.
It reveals that two thirds of
people (65%) agree that decisions should be delayed so that the public’s
views can be heard properly, even if this means that infrastructure weaknesses
are not tackled when they need to be.
That compares with only 24% who don’t think decisions should be delayed.
People are currently more concerned by the inconvenience and potential
disruption of upgrade work than the risk of failing to act.
The CBI commissioned research
shows a stark disconnect between the need to invest in infrastructure to ensure
the long-term success of our economy, to support businesses to grow and compete
internationally and general public perception.
Nearly half of respondents are satisfied with the state of national
infrastructure, with only a quarter (27%) dissatisfied. But according to the
World Economic Forum the UK ranks only 28th in the world for quality of
infrastructure.
Most public opposition which
results in large infrastructure projects, like new power generation, roads,
rail and aviation capacity, being held up is due to a lack of relevant
information, failure to tackle residents’ legitimate concerns, and using
the wrong decision-makers and spokespeople.
Instead the CBI argues that
infrastructure needs to be ‘sold’ to the public based
on:
- The quality of life for local
people - cited by 47% of respondents
- Local job opportunities - cited
by 44%
- Local environment - cited by
37%
The CBI poll found that people
overwhelmingly trust technical experts to make national infrastructure
decisions over politicians (64% versus 22%). But they also want their voice to
be heard - when asked who they most trusted to represent local views about a
project 42% said "me and people like me".
John Cridland, CBI
Director-General, said:
"Our research reveals a
major disconnect between what infrastructure investment we need for our
long-term economic success compared with what the public accepts. We urgently
need to upgrade our energy infrastructure to avoid future power shortages, for
example.
"To bridge this perception
gap government and businesses need to redouble their efforts to tell a
convincing human interest story, which people can relate to and which explains
the urgency of the investment the UK needs.
"We are simply telling the
wrong story on infrastructure. Rather than talking about gross domestic product
and fiscal multipliers, we should be explaining about the local economy, a
boost in local jobs for local businesses, like cafes, B&Bs and construction
firms.
"The public will delay
decisions if their views haven’t been heard - proper consultation and
community engagement must be built in from the start or it will come back to
bite the project later on.
"The public trust technical
experts to make infrastructure decisions, rather than politicians, so the CBI
would like to see all parties consider the merits of the Armitt Review, which
suggested setting up an independent national infrastructure decision-making
body."
Steve Holliday, CEO of
National Grid, said:
"In the UK we need to
ensure we continue to have a secure and affordable energy supply, while meeting
our ambitious low carbon targets. This is about how people will heat and light
their homes in the future and how we keep our factories and offices
going.
"As new power stations open
and others close, it is vital that we invest in our energy infrastructure to
create jobs and make sure we power the economy. At National Grid, we are
investing around three billion pounds a year in our energy networks. Our
capital city, for example, is receiving a major billion pound upgrade to meet
increasing demand for electricity, which is why we’re re-wiring the
capital underground through the London Power Tunnels project.
"We need the public’s
buy-in to meet these challenges, so we must have an open and honest
conversation about our infrastructure needs and how they affect people every
day."
Case study: National
Grid – London Power Tunnels Project
London uses 20% of the
UK’s electricity and that demand is increasing by 4% every year. This
means that the capital’s transmission infrastructure needs updating. The
London Power Tunnels project is re-wiring the capital, with new 400kV cables,
underground through a network of 32km of tunnels.
The tunnels will run from
Hackney in the east to Willesden in the west and from Kensal Green in the north
to Wimbledon in the south. There are 14 access shafts at key points along the
tunnel route, in built-up areas of the capital.
Being the second largest part of
consumer electricity bills, any delay to the project through public opposition
would potentially inflict extra costs and risk power cuts. National Grid has
worked closely with local people to help them understand why the work is
required and to mitigate any uncertainty and disruption in their daily lives.
This includes:
- Extensive consultation with
local residents two years before the project began
- Public exhibitions and early
face-to-face briefings – before work started National Grid hosted events
for community groups, councillors and politicians to learn about the project
and ask the project team questions
- On on-going open dialogue
through a dedicated Freephone line and freepost address
- Regular community update letters
and leaflets to 20,000 residents along the 32km tunnel route
- A dedicated website and Twitter
feed.
National Grid also set up
an Energy Education Centre
(EEC) located at London Power Tunnel’s headquarters in
Willesden Junction.
The EEC delivers tailored school
sessions which provide information about energy production, its usage and the
need to change our relationships with energy now in order to preserve our
future. It explains to pupils all about the role of National Grid, the LPT
Project and how they can start thinking about embarking upon a career in
science and engineering
The EEC combines educational
materials with creative learning and tours around the live engineering site, in
order to put the work in perspective. Every single visit at the EEC is
voluntarily hosted by at least one engineering expert from National Grid who is
on hand to enthuse our young visitors about science and engineering, help
facilitate the sessions, and stimulate discussion
The EEC supports National
Grid’s wider education and skills strategy to engage with young people
and strengthen their interest in STEM subjects, and raise awareness of science
and engineering as a career.