Almost 9 out of 10 people in Britain want to see investment in new infrastructure – but many also want more of a say in how it’s planned and delivered, according to a new survey published today.

The “Independent survey of attitudes to infrastructure in Great Britain 2015” finds that many people feel that infrastructure projects happen ‘to them’, not ‘for them’ and they do not see any local or national coordination.

The report says that 87 per cent of those surveyed support investment in infrastructure, and 85 per cent want to see world-leading or solid improvements to existing infrastructure.

However, only six per cent of British people think there is a ‘very well co-ordinated’ national or local plan.

When asked what would increase confidence in the infrastructure sector, British people said community engagement (41 per cent), consultation (30 per cent), and leadership from politicians (25 per cent) and technical experts (24 per cent).

The report was launched this morning at the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) where Lord Adonis (Chair of the newly created National Infrastructure Commission) and Sir John Armitt (Commissioner and President of ICE) spoke about the importance of involving the public and building a consensus around the need and benefits of infrastructure.

Lord Adonis, Chair, National Infrastructure Commission, said:

“This report is timely and vital. For too long the British people have been forced to put up with chaos, congestion and costs, thanks to successive governments' failure to build the long term infrastructure this country needs. So as we establish the independent National Infrastructure Commission, it is clear we have to utterly transform the way we plan and deliver major projects in this country."

"This survey shows that the public want proper investment and planning behind world class developments. But whilst the support is there for real improvement, people rightly demand proper engagement and genuine consultation."

"It is now up to the industry as a whole to take these findings forward and build the broad coalition of support we need to secure the projects of the future."

Key recommendations in the report include:

• Develop a positive narrative – the public want to hear about future investment.
• Demonstrate a strategic approach – the National Infrastructure Commission is well placed to explain the benefits of infrastructure but it is much more than that. It can take a joined up approach to infrastructure and provide evidence about the benefits as a way of improving the quality of the engagement and consensus building.
• Engage – two in three (67%) are interested in being involved in discussions about the future infrastructure needs of their area/region. People said that community engagement and consultation would increase their confidence.
• Lead – the public think there is a pressing need for leadership on infrastructure. There is also strong backing for input from technical experts which would increase public confidence. The National Infrastructure Commission is well placed to address this.
• Demonstrate balance – the research points to an unresolved tension between the national need and safeguards to protect communities and the environment.

Sir John Armitt, President of the Institution of Civil Engineers and National Infrastructure Commissioner added:

“Public interest in infrastructure is as much driven by fear of disrupted lives as it is by a promise of greater convenience, speed or improved quality of life. The challenge for us all – ICE, Government and the NIC alike - is to open up the debate and address these fears. Our ability to explain – in plain language - what we are trying to achieve and why, to be prepared to consider alternative solutions and to put ourselves in the public’s shoes is absolutely vital if we are to gain sufficient political and public support, without which important projects simply cannot proceed.”

Click here to download the report by Copper Consultancy and Icaro in partnership with Peter Brett Associates (PBA)- “Independent survey of attitudes to infrastructure in Great Britain 2015”