Water & Wastewater Treatment Magazine
Issue link: https://fhpublishing.uberflip.com/i/814050
The future of streetworks As we look ahead to the annual 2017 Utility Week Live conference, it seems appropriate to reflect on what an eventful year it has been for UK politics. The announcement of a snap general election, the onset of Brexit negotiations and the prospect of another referendum on Scottish independence all mean a changing environment for our members to operate in. Throughout this time, and like many businesses up and down the country, our members have continued to deliver the critical infrastructure – be that water, telecoms, gas, sewerage or electricity – that every home in the UK needs. The annual cost of streetworks for utilities and contractors totals £1.6 billion alone, in addition to the costs to upgrade, expand and connect new customers to their networks. At a time of stretched national and local government finances, our members are contributing significantly to the growing UK economy of today and supporting the country's future prosperity. The government's Modern Industrial Strategy Green Paper outlined a clear focus to improve living standards and drive economic growth by increasing productivity across the country. Infrastructure investment is an area the UK has historically lagged other countries on, and is key to driving the competitive edge to achieve the government's ambitions, especially post-Brexit. As government prepares for a growing population (76 million by 2047), which will bring unprecedented housebuilding and infrastructure programmes, it is NJUG's members that are facilitating the infrastructure to make that possible. Vital streetworks are taking place that underpin the everyday lives of homeowners and businesses across the country – enabling, for example, more people to work from home and increasing their quality of life in turn. Bob Gallienne Chief executive, NJUG I am acutely aware that while infrastructure investment is universally welcomed, o'en the congestion caused by large infrastructure projects and the associated streetworks is not. As infrastructure investment accelerates in the UK, our members are committed to continuing to work closely with government and local authorities to minimise the disruption through greater collaboration between utilities and by using and sharing innovative methods. From listening closely to the views of our members on the ground it is clear that local authorities already have all the necessary powers to manage utility streetworks. In trying to find solutions to reduce urban congestion, and ultimately keep costs on bill payers to a minimum, NJUG's members need to be supported to improve operations through consistent and considered application of powers at a local level. As part of our consistent drive for greater collaboration, NJUG welcomes the Department for Transport's upcom- ing review into permits and lane rental schemes. We're keen to work with govern- ment and the Highways Authorities to move to an incentive-driven environment to avoid cost penalties on NJUG members for "business as usual" streetworks. While there are challenges facing utilities as we seek to deliver on the ambitions of government, there are also far-reaching opportunities to ease the path for the roll out of infrastructure, to the benefit of all. 30 | MAY 2017 | WWT | www.wwtonline.co.uk