UK Infrastructure Must Shift to Long-Term Systems Approach, Says Egis

A fundamental rethink of how infrastructure is planned and delivered is needed across the UK and Ireland, according to a new report from engineering firm Egis.

The white paper argues that the current project-by-project approach is no longer fit for purpose, warning that maintaining the status quo is leaving critical networks increasingly vulnerable to growing pressures.

Titled From projects to programmes: how infrastructure can keep pace with a changing world, the report draws on expertise across transport, energy, water, digital and urban systems. It concludes that infrastructure must be managed as interconnected, long-term systems rather than a series of standalone projects.

Growing pressure on ageing networks

Egis highlights a combination of challenges—including climate change, ageing assets and constrained funding—as key drivers pushing infrastructure beyond its original design limits. It warns that continuing to deliver schemes in isolation risks higher costs, greater disruption and increased long-term risk.

Francois Basselot, Managing Director for Egis in the UK and Ireland, said the scale of today’s challenges requires a broader perspective.

“The pressures we’re seeing don’t occur one project at a time—they affect entire networks,” he said. “Yet we still tend to plan and deliver infrastructure as if each project stands alone. That approach leaves us reacting rather than anticipating.”

Moving from projects to programmes

The report calls for a shift towards programme-led delivery, focused on long-term outcomes and system-wide performance. It identifies five key changes to support this transition:

• Earlier engagement with communities to better reflect real-world usage

• A stronger focus on outcomes rather than individual assets

• Planning and delivery at a network or system level

• Greater use of data and digital tools to inform long-term decisions

• Maximising existing assets through reuse and targeted upgrades

Egis argues that adopting this approach would improve resilience, reduce the need for reactive interventions and enable more efficient use of investment over time.

Evidence from across Europe

The report also points to examples from the UK, Ireland and wider Europe where programme-led strategies have already delivered improved results. These include integrated transport systems, adaptive reuse of infrastructure and the use of digital modelling to better anticipate and manage risk.

According to Egis, many of the technical solutions required are already available. The challenge lies in changing how infrastructure is planned, funded and delivered so that investment strengthens entire systems rather than addressing issues only after they arise.

Call for industry-wide change

The report concludes with a call for policymakers, infrastructure owners and delivery organisations to adopt a longer-term, system-focused approach.

Without change, Egis warns that existing pressures will continue to intensify, increasing the likelihood of failure across critical infrastructure networks.