Stratford call echoed by government body

Last week Stratford District Council called on the government to allocate funding to the district for more schools, adequate health provision and better transport. A few days later, a government advisory body echoed Stratford’s infrastructure warning.

A large number of new houses had been built in Stratford district over the past 20 years, Councillor George Cowcher told the full Council meeting, but new infrastructure had not kept pace with the needs of a growing population. “It will never be possible to rectify these deficiencies by building yet more houses,” he warned.

His words were echoed a few days later by an influential report to government. Modern, reliable infrastructure was needed to support economic growth, help tackle climate change and enhance the natural environment, the National Infrastructure Commission insisted, “but we need to get on with it”.

Improved infrastructure to boost economic growth across the UK and meet climate goals is both achievable and affordable if the right policy steps are taken now, according to the government’s independent advisors on infrastructure strategy.

However, the report adds that significant public and private investment in infrastructure is needed if the UK is to rebalance its economic geography, meet climate obligations, improve resilience and enhance the natural environment.