4.1 Earlier chapters of this National Infrastructure Plan have set out a sector-by-sector assessment of the UK's national infrastructure. However, this infrastructure is a system of increasingly interdependent networks. A silo-based approach to national infrastructure planning will miss the opportunities and threats created by these increasing systemic linkages.
4.2 Infrastructure is also intrinsically linked to development. New businesses and the expansion of communities require new connections to utility and communications networks, which can place extra demands on strategic and local transport services and have implications for environmental risks and conditions.
4.3 The Government recognises the importance of taking a joined-up approach to infrastructure and this chapter sets out actions in five areas:
• recognising opportunities from interdependencies in delivery: research commissioned by the Government has found significant economic opportunities if interdependencies in infrastructure delivery are harnessed to their maximum value, particularly through the sharing of infrastructure corridors for multiple uses. The Government will work with major infrastructure project teams to pilot reviews during the design and engineering phase to consider what opportunities for interdependencies may exist and how they may be exploited;
• taking a consistent approach to the appraisal of infrastructure projects: the Treasury has published supplementary guidance to the Green Book on infrastructure, which will build on existing practices and support an integrated and consistent approach to the consideration and appraisal of infrastructure projects across Government;
• prioritising security and resilience across sectors: the Government will publish the first UK Climate Change Risk Assessment in January 2012, and bring together existing programmes for the security and resilience of national infrastructure;
• understanding the relationships between infrastructure sectors: the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Economic and Social Research Council will jointly invest £7 million to support interdisciplinary centres exploring innovative business models around infrastructure interdependencies; and
• taking an integrated approach to infrastructure and housing planning: Government departments will work together to ensure that new infrastructure provision is well coordinated to support successful proposals for larger scale new developments. There will be help for promoters and local authorities to broker the support of infrastructure providers and statutory consultees to ensure that projects can be delivered.