State of the Nation: Devolution, launched this week by ICE, sets out recommendations for how to deliver maximum benefits to society and underlines the importance of infrastructure as a driver of the economy.

Drawing on Scotland’s innovation and experience from devolved organisations, including Zero Waste Scotland and Transport Scotland, the report primarily considers devolution to English regions.

It also sets out the need for Scotland to develop an appropriate approach to identifying its infrastructure needs, and the importance of a long-term, cross-party vision as highlighted in ICE Scotland’s manifesto published earlier in the year. This echoes the call for a national infrastructure agency contained in the recent Scottish review of Planning.

Sara Thiam, Director of ICE Scotland, said: “For Scotland to reach its full potential we must also identify our ongoing infrastructure needs and create a cohesive infrastructure policy.

“The new Programme for Government, which includes a long-term infrastructure investment plan, provides an opportunity to ensure the delivery strategy is right and there is clear pipeline of upcoming projects to better plan for future needs.”

ICE has already worked to identify some of the most pressing needs in Scotland. In April, ICE and Pinsent Masons brought together government officials, industry experts and business leaders to gather evidence on Scotland’s infrastructure needs up to the year 2050. This formed part of the ICE led National Needs Assessment.

ICE Scotland’s State of the Nation Infrastructure report published last year also highlighted Scottish infrastructure sectors which require urgent attention including local roads. Other areas highlighted in their Manifesto, published earlier in the year, included the need to enhance the resilience of all networks in order to adapt to the pressures of climate and demographic change, and upskill Scotland’s workforce and grow a talent pool of engineers to meet our future infrastructure needs.

State of the Nation: Devolution Steering Group member, Dr Robert Rogerson, said: “The benefits of effective infrastructure are well established - it can boost economic growth, create jobs, regenerate communities, connect people and places and drive environmental sustainability. It provides the foundation of modern society. It is right that infrastructure investment is the driving force behind Government’s plans to rebalance the economy.

“The 10 recommendations in this report will be of interest to Scottish City Regions and collaborative regional partnerships, focused on long-term strategic approaches to improving regional economies. Getting the right frameworks, investment and skills in place will help them succeed and deliver the widest possible benefits to society.”

ICE’s 10 recommendations: