“Today’s budget was always going to focus heavily on the government’s short-term support package for people and businesses affected by the pandemic and quite rightly so. Announcements on the National Infrastructure Bank, Freeports and further investment in the New Towns deal are welcome, and I look forward to reading into the detail of the accompanying ‘Build Back Better: our plan for growth’ strategy that was also published today.

“I welcome the Chancellor’s enthusiasm for freeports, and I look forward to seeing the eight English ports become a reality, I hope that this is followed up in short order with announcements for the rest of the UK. Having worked on similar projects all over the world, AECOM has seen the benefits these free trade zones can bring, creating jobs and boosting local economies. Success here in the UK will rely on ensuring they are part of a wider integrated infrastructure plan that supports the local economy, creating green jobs in sustainable and well-connected sites.

“With the UK hosting the COP26 summit in November and the pledge of a green industrial revolution, this was an opportunity to show great leadership in tackling the climate crisis. Whilst there are mentions of retrofitting building stock, investment in EV charging in our town centres and investments in offshore wind, hydrogen and carbon capture technology, I feel much of this is what we ‘should do’, rather than what we ‘could do’ if we want to send a definitive message to the rest of the world.

“The pandemic has irrevocably changed the way that we work and travel and I’m glad to see the government is recognising the importance of investing in our towns and high streets. I strongly believe that we will now see a trend of more local journeys, more local commerce and fewer days commuting for many of us. To maximise the social and economic benefits of this we must invest in the redevelopment of brownfield sites, transport and green spaces close to our high streets and towns.

“Investment in the north is clearly on the Chancellor’s mind, announcing the formation of the National Infrastructure Bank in Leeds, the new economic campus in Darlington and the championing of the redevelopment of Teesside, all of which I welcome. But where were the new announcements to improve rail and transport infrastructure to support these schemes, Northern Powerhouse rail is only briefly mentioned in the supporting strategy, there is much work to be done here.

“Sadly not mentioned in the speech but outlined in the ‘Build back better’ plan, I was pleased to see Project Speed gathering pace. I only hope this momentum continues in the upcoming Integrated Rail Plan, aligning projects such as the A66 Trans-Pennine road upgrade, improving connectivity in our cities, bringing regions closer together and levelling up deprived communities across the country.” –  Colin Wood, Regional Chief Executive – Europe, AECOM