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Public engagement is vital to move beyond the do-nothing easy option

The “Citizen Voice” must enable leadership and vision to drive long term plans for sustainable infrastructure, says Antony Oliver

The Green Alliance’s latest report “Opening up infrastructure planning” raises an interesting debate over just how engaged the public should be when it comes to decisions over nationally significant infrastructure investment. 

The answer should clearly and logically be that every citizen should, of course, be highly engaged and motivated to take an interest in any decision that affect their lives and communities. Why wouldn’t they be? 

Throughout the infrastructure planning process there is without question a huge amount to be gained from engaging in informed debate with local experts to gain their insight and knowledge so as to really understanding the issues, fears and needs on the ground. 

And long may that continue to be supported and encouraged through the kind of measures such as the Citizen Voice or civic society advisory council suggested by the Green Alliance report. 

"It is also far to say that right now as far as infrastructure is concerned, the UK is not exactly suffering from too many wrong planning decisions. On the contrary.."

The problem, of course, is that in the real world, sitting alongside this good sense, there is also usually much “ill-informed” debate over solutions to the complex and compound problems that surround infrastructure. And that can so often mean that status quo rules.

As shadow minister Lord Adonis pointed out this week at the report’s launch, the easiest thing for any government minister keen to avoid an argument to do is to simply do nothing.

But as Adonis also pointed out: “The reality is that if there is to be any infrastructure built – that people either support or oppose – then decisions have to be made.” 

The UK’s planning system is certainly not perfect. And there is a much to be commended around any ideas that help to boost the local focus and public engagement when finding solutions to difficult planning decision.

"Yet just as politicians must be encouraged to think long term so must the public. True engagement has to mean moving beyond the “do nothing” easy options"

But it is also fair to say that right now as far as infrastructure is concerned, the UK is not exactly suffering from too many wrong planning decisions. On the contrary, the scale of underinvestment across the UK in our vital transport, energy and communication networks surely highlights that the critical problem we face is actually moving the best ideas towards reality.

The reality today is that, as we transition towards a future low carbon economy we really must turn this situation around and begin to upgrade our infrastructure. 

Yet defining the precise infrastructure need is a complex process. And it is also a relatively imprecise process. For all the discussion and calculation that can and must go on as professionals plan and design solutions, ultimately the strategic drive must come from leadership with a vision.

The critical issue is setting up a system that allows this vision to be big enough and bold enough to actually deliver the desired and predicted outcome. And that means stepping away from the short term horizons of five year political cycles towards creating longer term pipelines.

And as the Green Alliance report makes clear, only such a strategic approach will really enable need to be properly defined and engaged with by the public.

Yet just as politicians must be encouraged to think long term so must the public. True engagement has to mean moving beyond the “do nothing” easy options. 

It means ensuring that we are bold and that the right infrastructure is actually built and pressed into action to enhance every citizen’s life today and sustain the lives of those in the future.

Antony Oliver is the editor of Infrastructure Intelligence

If you would like to contact Antony Oliver about this, or any other story, please email antony.oliver@infrastructure-intelligence.com.