Wales’ water, waste, energy, transport and flood risk management sectors require urgent attention according to an appraisal of the nation’s infrastructure released today by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Wales Cymru.
They warn there is little time to act to ensure Wales’ infrastructure is fit for purpose to meet future demands and ensure economic growth.
The report scored the country’s water, waste, transport, flood and energy systems against the wider backdrop of public spending cuts, the urgent need to shift to a low carbon society and a recovering economy.
Existing infrastructure was appraised on general condition, capacity, resilience and sustainability. An overall grade was given for each: A: fit for future; B: adequate for now; C: requires attention; D: at risk or E: not fit for purpose.
Wales’ grades were - water B, wastewater C, flood risk management C, waste C, transport C.
Overall the nation’s infrastructure was assessed as a C indicating it is not adequately maintained and requires attention to avoid deterioration.
ICE Wales Cymru director Keith Jones said the results were extremely concerning: "Our nation’s infrastructure underpins our economic growth and quality of life. Although we have known for some time there are weaknesses in some core infrastructure systems these results stress that we must take urgent action if we are to meet future demands and retain a strong local economy. The report’s conclusions are worrying for Wales’ future development and productivity."
Wales’ wastewater infrastructure is ageing, much of it dating back to the 19th century. The report calls for continued investment in this area, to improve standards and ensure the systems are equipped to support Wales’ continued economic growth.
While all sectors in Wales were assessed as needing attention, with only drinking water achieving a B, both transport and energy were higher than the UK average (D for both). However, the report notes that there is still a lot of work that must be done to bring all sectors up to a standard that will ensure the nation’s continued economic growth.
The key challenge for Wales is ensuring the Welsh Assembly Government continues to give strategic direction for the delivery of much needed infrastructure, backed by supportive policies, regulatory framework and clear targets. With lengthy-lead times the report stresses that there is no time for complacency; action must be taken now.
Keith Jones continued: "Urgent decisions must be made on the future of Wales’ infrastructure, in particular upgrading our ageing wastewater system and decarbonising our transport networks by encouraging a shift from private car travel. Reducing emissions across the board is crucial and should be considered a key consideration in all new infrastructure planning, but there must also be a focus on engaging the public and changing behaviours if we are to achieve a low carbon economy.
"Timing is of the essence, our infrastructure is holding up now but we cannot afford to be complacent with demand and population set to increase and environmental targets looming."
Environment Minister, Jane Davidson said:
"I welcome this report and the work of the Institution of Civil Engineers Wales Cymru, who have played a key role in developing the evidence base to inform it.
"It is essential that we retain the infrastructure to support our progressive One Wales agenda . It is now critical that there is the necessary investment from the UK government to allow us to respond appropriately to the report’s recommendations. "
The Wales report is part of a UK-wide assessment which found the UK’s infrastructure to be in poor condition overall (C grade) and warned the new UK Government it has very little time to act if we are to have sustainable, working water, waste, energy and transport networks in the future.