Infrastructure leaders across the world have highlighted consistent government backing on major projects as a key requirement to avoid major project delays and cost hikes. When asked about the biggest barriers to infrastructure projects being approved quicker, former UK rail minister Chris Heaton-Harris says that “constantly changing decision-making, constant spec changes and bad planning law” are the key obstacles. You have to keep the focus on your local environment.”Last month, NCE spoke to Palmer regarding setting high ambitions and the importance of scrutiny for major projects in the UK. Leaders interviewed for the report also stress that standardisation of infrastructure design and delivery as a long-term strategic approach to help keep costs down. “We need standardisation and collaboration to avoid reinventing the wheel for each project,” says one leader who wished to not be named in the report.