Over £500 billion worth of UK infrastructure projects are set to be delivered over the next five years.

New figures from the National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline sets out planned private and public investment over Parliament, including projects such as the Thames Tideway Tunnel, the rollout of smart meters, and upgrading the A14.

In his Autumn Statement, Chancellor Philip Hammond revealed details of a £2.6bn infrastructure fund to improve transport networks, a multi-million pound package to accelerate the future of broadband, and £7.2bn to support the construction of new homes.

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Overall, the new National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline contains:

• Over £500 billion of planned investment, with over £300 billion of this to be invested by 2020/21.

• Over 720 projects and programmes across transport, housing and digital to fire up the nation’s infrastructure.

• Around 20 new schemes have been added to the pipeline since March 2016, including the Oxford to Cambridge Expressway.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury David Gauke said: "This record infrastructure pipeline is set to make a real difference to people’s lives from quicker and easier journeys, to better broadband access, and building more homes for people who need them in high demand areas."

Alasdair Reisner, Chief Executive of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA), added: "If the UK infrastructure sector is to plan for the investment in skills and innovation that will be required to deliver world-class infrastructure in the coming years, it is vital that companies are able to strategically allocate funding on a basis of projected need.

"The pipeline is a crucial tool that enables companies to plan ahead and deliver optimal outcomes for clients, taxpayers, and communities."

(LM)