Why Small-Scale Infrastructure Projects are Vital for UK Economy

Securing a strong post-Brexit economy through projects with trickle-down and payback

A report by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills describes the UK construction sector as ‘a key driver of growth’, contributing almost £90 billion to the economy in value added, and employing nearly 3 million people across 280,000 businesses.  

There are some huge infrastructure projects in the UK, either underway or in the pipeline. Hinkley Point, HS2, a new road tunnel under the Pennines to link Manchester and Sheffield, the new runway at Heathrow, and Crossrail 2.  If they go ahead, they’ll have a major effect on the economy. Such projects will also provide a welcome trickle down of spending through contractors and sub-contractors, breathing life into the economy at every level.

The danger, however, is that we focus on the big projects and overlook the way smaller infrastructure projects can have the same life-giving impact on the economy. Smaller scale projects can also be delivered more quickly, as well as being more geographically spread in the benefits they bring.

There’s no shortage of likely projects. Flood defence is increasingly important after the weather we’ve seen in recent years, and the realisation that conditions previously seen as ‘once in a lifetime’ are actually coming rather quickly. There are more than five million homes at some point on the flood risk scale. The benefit of moving them off it would be greater than the cost of doing the work. (What benefit? Well, just to take one point, there are people who can’t move from where the work is to where it is not because, due to risk of flooding, they can’t sell their homes).

A new road between two northern powerhouses would be an economic boon, no doubt about it. But so would a great many local road improvements that would cost far less and be completed more quickly.

The country has voted to leave the EU. That choice raises fears of risk, but it also offers opportunity. What is important is to take away as much uncertainty as possible, and building a strong economy through infrastructure projects which have a clear payback is one of the best ways to do that.

Whatever the project, infrastructure development produces waste, and getting rid of waste safely, legally and in an economically-sound way is our business.

If you would like to hire a skip in Croydon, South Croydon, Sutton, Wimbledon, Clapham, Wandsworth or Streatham, get in touch with us today.

Whatever you want taken away, and wherever in the UK it is, get in touch. We’re here to help.