Morning, Monday, 29th June 2026
Online
This conference will examine next steps for the delivery of major transport projects. Areas for discussion include implementation of measures outlined in the Major Transport Projects Governance and Assurance Review, and UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy, as well as priorities for the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority.
With provisions in the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 now coming into force, the conference will bring stakeholders and policymakers together to assess approaches to addressing barriers to major transport projects in England. It follows recent reforms to the development consent process, and impending guidance expected later in 2026 regarding pre-application consultation requirements.
With ongoing revisions to the National Policy Statement for Ports and National Airports Policy Statement, and in the context of wider reform to the National Planning Policy Framework, discussion will consider how sectoral consent frameworks and wider regulation can support project delivery and broader government objectives. In anticipation of the forthcoming Integrated National Transport Strategy, delegates will consider priorities for co-ordination within the transport project pipeline, and expectations for alignment with growth and development objectives, including new towns.
Governance, oversight, assurance & investment
Delegates will look at key issues for improving governance, controlling contract costs, and reducing delays, including the ongoing design of new governance arrangements for project delivery bodies such as HS2 Ltd, alongside systemic government reform to enhance accountability and support equitable allocation of risk. Sessions will explore next steps for NISTA’s role in providing strategic and project assurance expertise to approve new projects in a timely manner, including the operation of the updated long-term infrastructure pipeline for supporting planning, coordination, certainty, and oversight, as well as design of new Public-Private Partnership models introduced to supplement public funding commitments in the 2025 Spending Review and Autumn Budget.
Delivery timelines, productivity & project capacity
Further sessions will explore the delivery of major projects in 2026 and beyond - including HS2 and the Lower Thames Crossing - as well as planned projects such as Northern Powerhouse Rail. Attendees will discuss issues for delivery, including whether milestones are being met, issues of robustness in project governance, and use of technology and innovation to support efficient project delivery. Discussion will also consider the capacity of projects to support domestic supply chains, and effective approaches to improving workforce and skills capacity.
Climate resilience
In light of the recently published Climate adaptation strategy for transport, delegates will discuss ways forward for embedding sustainability objectives and climate resilience into project governance and delivery. Managing requirements for environmental mitigation and compensation will also be considered, including implementation of biodiversity net gain for nationally significant infrastructure projects, and the role of the Nature Restoration Fund, looking at implications for project planning and consenting, and mechanisms for compliance and oversight.
Overview of areas for discussion
- governance and project oversight: strengthening project delivery body and central government processes - implementing conclusions of Major Transport Projects Governance and Assurance Review - assessing the UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy - ensuring long-term Treasury buy-in - priorities for NISTA and assessing initial performance - keeping contract costs low
- planning and consenting: assessing the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 - updating National Policy Statements - speeding up development consent - reducing pre-project consultations and avoiding judicial reviews - coordinating the role of sectoral regulators
- public and private investment: assessing the 2025 Spending Review, Budget and UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy commitments - aligning funding to strategic goals - ensuring value-for-money via Green Book updates - unlocking private sector capital and the role of new public-private partnership schemes
- project delivery: status of major and planned projects - implementing the HS2 reset - assessing cost control - adopting digital tools and innovation to improve efficiency and productivity - managing emerging risks- building workforce capacity
- driving economic growth: aligning transport infrastructure with economic opportunities - promoting UK-based and sustainable supply chains - supporting local jobs - social value within procurement
- integrated transport: identifying priorities for a new Integrated National Transport Strategy - connecting transport to broader infrastructure - integrating multi-modal systems and new transport modalities
- adapting to climate change: assessing the Climate Adaptation Strategy for Transport - key risk areas - integrating climate resilience into transport projects
- environmental requirements: implementation of BNG for NSIPs - mitigating environmental harm - the role of the Nature Restoration Fund and co-ordination between delivery bodies
