Engineers warn neglected infrastructure is jeopardising green goals

The UK's infrastructure is in a perilous state that will seriously undermine the government's ability to meet its environmental targets, according to a major audit of the country's energy, water, waste and transport networks undertaken by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).

The report, which will be released later today, examined the current state of key infrastructure set against the context of the urgent need to shift towards a low carbon economy and the reality of government spending constraints. It then graded different elements of the UK's infrastructure using an A to E system where an A grade was defined as being "fit for future" and an E grade equivalent to being "not fit for purpose".

No aspect of the UK's infrastructure received an A rating, while two key areas, energy and local transport networks, received a D grade highlighting that they are "at risk".

"Infrastructure underpins the very existence of civilised society, so finding two crucial sectors - energy and local transport - to be 'at risk’ is very worrying for the nation’s future development and productivity," said David Orr, former ICE president and chair of the project steering group that produced the report. "Without effective, sustainable infrastructure the UK risks losing its position as a world-leader, failing in its goal to be environmentally responsible and being unable to maintain a high quality of life for its population."

The report said the UK's energy infrastructure presented the "most cause for concern", warning that the government had to take urgent decisions within the next five years on renewable energy, nuclear energy and carbon capture and storage if the UK is to deal with looming energy shortages while also cutting carbon emissions.

It also said that local transport networks are over-reliant on private car travel and roads that are in a "poor condition", warning that any funding cuts to transport infrastructure could prove "disastrous".

In addition, the report called for an overhaul of waste infrastructure and flood management policies. It also warned that even in areas where infrastructure was currently working well, such as water and strategic transport networks, carbon emission goals meant that the government would have to find ways to curb long-term demand for water and roads.

"To retain the UK's economic and global competitivity, achieve a low carbon economy and keep the lights on, government must take a long-term strategic view of our infrastructure priorities," said Orr. "While finding new and innovative funding methods will be imperative, so will managing demand and making sure we get good value for our hard-pressed capital investment resources."

He also advised the government to think carefully before imposing any budget cuts that could hamper infrastructure investment, particularly in low carbon projects.

"The immediate focus must be on securing a reliable and clean supply of energy, creating capacity and better connections in our local transport networks and most importantly, creating a supportive environment within which utility owners and industry are confident to invest," he said. "We are only just coming out of the recession and the way forward is to continue to invest for the future, not cut budgets to make short-term gains."

Paul Morrell, the government's chief construction adviser, welcomed the publication of the report, adding that while the government would have to pursue a tough spending round it "recognised" the critical importance of physical infrastructure to the long term health of the economy.

The report comes just a day after a separate study from the Centre for Alternative Technology suggested that the rapid roll out of zero carbon energy and transport infrastructure would allow the UK to slash its greenhouse gas emissions by 90 per cent within 20 years.