The National Infrastructure Commission has begun its next phase of the UK’s first ever National Infrastructure Assessment (NIA) with a series of publications and announcements.

It has launched a 15 week call for evidence, to invite all interested parties to submit evidence, ideas and solutions to shape the development of the NIA. The Commission has also published its response to the consultation on the process and methodology of the NIA, which closed in August and announced the formation and membership of two new expert advisory groups - a technical panel and an analytical panel.

Deputy chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, Sir John Armitt said: “The National Infrastructure Assessment will be a world first in size and scope and the Commission is absolutely committed to carrying it out in an open, transparent way, engaging with a wide range of stakeholders.

“How can infrastructure best support growth, how should we decide what we repair and what we build, and who should pay for it? – these are the sorts of big questions we need to answer. That’s why the commission is asking for views across these and a range of issues as we launch the next stage of our National Infrastructure Assessment,” he said.

Commenting on the launch of the NIC’s first expert advisory groups, Armitt said: “Leading thinkers from across industry, business and academia will work with the Commission to make sure that our work is subject to rigorous scrutiny before publication. The Commission is absolutely committed to ensuring that the analysis and advice we produce is held to the very highest of standards, and these expert advisory groups will help make certain that is the case.”

The call for evidence for the NIA poses a range of questions divided into; cross-cutting themes, transport, digital communications, energy, water and wastewater (drainage and sewerage), flood risk management, and solid waste. Click here for full details.