Building materials suppliers have hit out at the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) for failing to recognise the importance of the supply chain when setting 'ambitious' infrastructure targets for the UK.

The Mineral Products Association (MPA), the trade body for the UK's aggregates, cement and concrete industries, said infrastructure targets set out within the draft National Infrastructure Assessment (NIA), or more generally within government, would require around two billion tonnes of aggregates and mineral products for the implementation and maintenance of these projects over the next 20 years.

In response to the NIC's consultation 'National Infrastructure Assessment: Congestion, Capacity, Carbon - Priorities for National Infrastructure', the MPA said without a strategic approach towards supporting the future supply of aggregates and mineral products, there is "no guarantee" that these projects can be delivered in the medium to long term.

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MPA Chief Executive, Nigel Jackson, said: "The critical role of supply chains such as mineral products is persistently overlooked by the NIC and Government when outlining ambitious plans for future infrastructure and housing investment.

"Unless there is more strategic awareness and recognition of the role of supply chains such as mineral products in the delivery of infrastructure, housing and other development we will not achieve the most sustainable long term supply to these projects.

"The blinkered attitude towards the benefits of rail freight just serves to emphasise the lack of awareness of the supply chain permeating the consultation. This needs to change as a matter of urgency, supply should never just be assumed."

The MPA said one of its main concerns is the "dismissive attitude" of the NIC towards rail freight, which ignores the "significant benefits" resulting from the delivery of some 20 million tonnes of aggregates and other mineral products by rail for infrastructure and construction customers.

"While there will be inevitable constraints on the role of rail freight, the NIA should adopt a more positive approach to the benefits of rail freight in the foreseeable future," the organisation said.

"The NIC and NIA should therefore recognise the significance of such supply chain issues and help stimulate a more strategic consideration of how to integrate long term supply chain implications with project and programme delivery."

(LM/MH)