Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) Wales response to the Welsh Government Road Review announcement (22nd June 2021)
The Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) Wales:
- Welcome the opportunity for clarity on future decision-making when it comes to the construction of roads in Wales;
- Are working constructively as a sector to address the need to decarbonise infrastructure;
- Call for the civil engineering sector to be fully included in the review and be part of the solution;
- Call for investment in the sector to be increased to maintain and adapt existing roads in line with the national strategy, to safeguard jobs and to help the industry to adopt new ways of working;
- Reiterate calls for a clear pipeline of infrastructure projects in Wales.
Responding to today’s announcement, Ed Evans, Director of CECA Wales said:
“The civil engineering sector in Wales recognise and understand the need for the Road Review announced by the Welsh Government today.
“As a sector we welcome the opportunity for clarity on future decision-making when it comes to the construction of roads in Wales, given the undeniable role the construction and maintenance of roads in Wales plays in our work and hope to see the sector fully included in the review.
“Whilst the Welsh Government reviews its current portfolio of new road projects we would like to see a strong commitment to increasing investment in the maintenance and adaptation of the existing highway network to improve experiences for the public as well as supporting civil engineering businesses to deliver new low carbon materials and technologies and safeguard jobs.
“CECA Wales, in partnership with the Association of Consultancy and Engineering and the County Surveyors Society Cymru, representing Wales’ local highway authorities, recently hosted our Annual Conference on “Decarbonising Our Infrastructure”, bringing the sector together to share ideas and good practice on how we can adapt to support this agenda. We fully realise the need to not just look at what we build but how we build it, how we justify what we build and the “value” of what we build. Following on from this work, we will publish a formal post-Conference report along with an Action Plan outlining how the sector can, practically, decarbonise our industry.
“We are committed to adapting our ways of working to reflect the climate emergency that faces us and will work constructively with the Welsh Government, and other infrastructure providers across the Welsh public sector, to find infrastructure solutions to help, not hinder, the issue.”
About CECA Wales
CECA Wales is the representative body of 60 of Wales’ largest and smallest civil engineering contracting businesses. Our members represent a majority of Wales’ largest and smallest civil engineering contracting businesses with a cumulative annual turnover in excess of £1bn and employing over 6,000 people.
Contact details :
Ed Evans, Director CECA Wales