Facing the gaps in public infrastructure and effects of climate change require urgent investment, the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Wales Cymru says.
The Institution has launched its Manifesto for Infrastructure in Wales 2026: Prosperity, growth, and jobs, ahead of the Senedd 2026 election.
ICE Wales Cymru is the largest civil engineering institution in Wales and represents 3,600 members.
It says that addressing these issues will unlock economic growth, overcome challenges posed by climate change, manage demographic change and improve the lives of the public.
The manifesto provides recommendations across transport, energy, water and waste water, flood risk management, waste, skills, infrastructure pipeline.
Its top three recommendations are:
- Resilience: Wales must continue to invest in new and existing infrastructure assets and speed the transition to a zero-carbon economy.
- Skills: Wales must continue to invest to grow the next generation of civil and infrastructure engineers and upskill our current workforce so that we can deliver infrastructure that drives our economy and society.
- Infrastructure Pipeline: Wales must develop, maintain, and fund a pipeline of infrastructure projects.
ICE Wales Cymru Regional Director, Keith Jones, said:
“Joined up infrastructure across land, sea and air remains urgent, as ever, as we face the compounding effects of climate change and lack of investment in infrastructure. Today, we launch our manifesto to urge the Welsh Government to deliver long-term investment to benefit people and the economy across Wales.”
ICE Wales Cymru Chair Tara Sirati said:
“Civil and infrastructure engineers are well-placed to tackle the increasing challenges of climate-related natural disasters for the safety of our Wales population. Our esteemed profession is equipped to lead, scrutinise and advise on matters related to design and infrastructure. Our manifesto is comprised from evidence and insight from our 3,600 members from across Wales.”
