While previous national infrastructure plans have been regularly revised documents, the new Infrastructure Pipeline is in the form of a dynamic online tool 鈥� dynamic in the sense of continual revision.
So when a project is scrapped, it can be deleted from the official list immediately.
There are 780 projects currently listed, with a total estimated given as 拢530bn. However, many of the listed projects, particularly in the privatised energy sector for example, are scant on details, with no timings or costs attached.
But being 鈥榙ynamic鈥�, the assumption is that it will be improved as time goes on.
This interactive Pipeline website is the first fruit of the newly created National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA), whose chief executive Becky Wood said: "We鈥檝e listened to a wide range of voices to ensure this pipeline is designed to give the infrastructure sector the information and insights needed to plan with confidence and to build the skills, workforce and supply chains required.鈥�
She added: "NISTA is committed to working with investors, operators and construction firms on future iterations to ensure the pipeline is where private and public sector partners will stand firmly behind a shared ambition to do things better."
While it all looks a bit bare bones at the moment, it appears to be generally welcomed as a good start.
Sam Gould, director of policy and external affairs at the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), said: "The ICE has promoted the importance of an up-to-date, credible project pipeline for some time, so NISTA鈥檚 publication of the new Infrastructure Pipeline is a welcome step forward. Having an agreed list of projects provides essential clarity for the industry to plan 鈥� not just for delivery, but to enable better workforce planning and attract necessary finance. The commitment from NISTA to regularly update the Pipeline with insights and data from across industry is also positive, and the ICE looks forward to working with NISTA to refine and develop this Pipeline."
This view was widely echoed.
Balfour Beatty chief executive Leo Quinn said: "The new Infrastructure Pipeline is a big step forward, giving industry the clarity and confidence to invest in skills, grow capability and deliver sustainable, digital solutions. It鈥檚 what Balfour Beatty has been calling for: funded schemes, greater detail and transparency, and real-time updates to support business planning. The challenge now is keeping up momentum and making it a trusted tool for long-term UK infrastructure planning."
Build UK chief executive Suzannah Nichol said: "The new Infrastructure Pipeline is another step towards much needed visibility and stability for the construction supply chain and private sector investors. This dynamic approach showing a clear and updated pipeline of work will give our members more confidence to invest in the skills, resources and technology required to deliver and maintain the social and economic infrastructure we all rely on.
"Build UK is committed to working with the Treasury and NISTA to ensure the pipeline is an effective tool, supporting improved performance and productivity and driving economic growth."
How up to date NISTA chooses to keep the database may become an issue. NISTA promises that 鈥淭he Pipeline will be regularly updated in line with NISTA's commitment to continual improvement, expanding its coverage and capability in response to user feedback鈥�.
However, it also says that now new updates will be made until January 2026. So not that dynamic then.
There is also the thorny issue of devolved regions: the pipeline lists 拢300m of projects planned in Northern Ireland over the next 10 years, 拢5.5bn in Scotland and 拢7bn in Wales but it does not cover investment relating to devolved responsibilities and it is not clear whether there is any intention to include them in the future.
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