The Mayor of London is warning that the city is set to exceed its record level of population within months and risks losing its position among the world’s elite cities unless a major programme of infrastructure investment is put in place to allow the capital to continue to operate efficiently and successfully.

The stark wakeup call was issued by Mayor of London Boris Johnson with today’s launch of a major consultation on a 2050 London Infrastructure Plan today. The London Infrastructure Plan 2050 is the first attempt to set out the full range of infrastructure requirements for the capital over the next half century, during which time the population of London is forecast to increase by thirty seven per cent to more than 11 million people. 

Arup was appointed by the Greater London Authority to provide an expert assessment of projects, costs and technical issues in the Plan and to help identify what could be done to close the funding gap.

 The Mayor wants to consult with Londoners, national Government, the wider southeast and beyond on the plan, which he describes as a wakeup call to the stark level of investment and thought that needs to be put into ensuring the capital does not falter.

The Mayor believes that the model for investment set out in the plan could also be suitable for other UK cities, providing a blueprint for how they might invest in locally-decided priority infrastructure needs.

Although London currently leads the world in the finance, commercial, cultural, scientific and media sectors the capital is in danger of being overtaken by competitors who are already strengthening their infrastructure.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said:

“This plan is a real wake up call to the stark needs that face London over the next half century. Infrastructure underpins everything we do and we all use it every day. Without a long term plan for investment and the political will to implement it this city will falter. Londoners need to know they will get the homes, water, energy, schools, transport, digital connectivity and better quality of life that they expect.”

If London’s population increases as forecast the plan explains how the city will be faced by a series of serious challenges to its infrastructure on issues like transport, housing, energy and water. Thames Water is projecting that demand for water will exceed supply by 10 per cent in London by 2025, rising to 21 per cent by 2040.

The Mayor is now planning to establish a London Infrastructure Delivery Board composed of senior representatives from all of the main infrastructure providers in London to utilise their expertise. The draft plan, which sets out detailed descriptions of how the challenges facing London might be met, makes the key point that green infrastructure needs to become considered as much a part of the city’s vital systems as our other utilities.

An extra 9000ha of accessible green space needs to be provided in both traditional and new ways. Green spaces need to be better planned, designed and managed to deliver benefits including more space for walking and cycling, flood mitigation, improved air quality, enhanced biodiversity and a cooler urban environment.

More integrated approach to water management needed

The plan is also calling for a more integrated approach to water management to help deal with demand for water which is predicted to exceed supply from as early as 2016. The plan outlines how innovative tariffs and better leakage detection could help plug the gap. It also encourages Thames Water to develop 25 year plans for wastewater, drainage and flood risk management.

The full costs of delivering and maintaining the infrastructure London requires would result in a sharp rise in costs and a public sector funding gap. Arup estimate that the total investment in London’s infrastructure between 2016 and 2050 could amount to £1.3 trillion, although the purpose of consulting on this plan is to help agree priorities and how to reduce costs. Capital costs would rise significantly compared to existing funding levels and the Infrastructure Plan examines a number of ways of plugging the gap. 

Alexander Jan, project director at  Arup said that investment activity would be needed on an industrial scale not seen since Victorian times.

Civil Engineering Contractors Association Chief Executive, Alasdair Reisner, commented:

“Our industry has long argued that long-term visibility of workload is essential if we are to play our part in delivering world-class infrastructure in an efficient and timely manner. An infrastructure plan for London which has cross-party support will encourage innovation, better resource allocation, an improved skills base and a more stable workforce throughout the construction sector.”

The consultation on the London Infrastructure Plan 2050 will run for three months and the Mayor is expected to publish a final report in early 2015.

Deadline for responses is 31^st October 2014. Click here to access the Infrastructure Plan 2050 and  consultation documents.