How we fund, finance, design and operate our infrastructure has a profound influence on the way infrastructure is used, the quality of services that it provides and the equity of public access to these services.

Existing approaches to this infrastructure delivery are repeatedly criticised for returning poor value for money. To unlock opportunities for growth and deliver the infrastructure communities need and value, national government must devolve fiscal powers and give greater responsibility to local authorities and communities.

Although in some ways infrastructure has never been higher on the political agenda, discussion prior to the General Election is dominated by two very specific cases: HS2 and airport expansions. This interest is welcome, but it is also diverting attention from the local scale – where people interact and benefit from infrastructure on a daily basis. The long-term success and sustainability of our national economy will not be down to a few large infrastructure schemes, but the compound benefit delivered by thousands of small investments at local, city and city-region level.