The new Charter, jointly signed by Government and the industry, sets out several basic building blocks to change behaviours and working practices in major project delivery.

Behind the commitments – seven for Government and four for the industry – lies an ambitious attempt to reform the processes behind major infrastructure projects.

Infrastructure UK is steering the reform process and from the industry standpoint four key trade bodies involved in civil engineering have all signed up.

Paul Skinner, the chairman of IUK’s advisory council, said: “Infrastructure UK’s Cost Review points to some of the shortcomings in the current approach to planning and delivering infrastructure and has proposed a number of significant new initiatives.

“Previous attempts to bring about improvements have largely failed to embed the cultural and behavioural changes vital to underpin more collaborative and efficient models.

He warned: “A new culture and business models are essential if clients and industry are to have the confidence to innovate and be capable of rising to the challenges set out by Infrastructure UK.

“The commitments set out in this Charter are the building blocks for change.”

Infrastructure UK has worked with the Association for Consultancy and Engineering, Civil Engineering Contractors Association, Construction Products Association and the Institution of Civil Engineers on the Charter.

Representing the four bodies, ACE chief executive Nelson Ogunshakin said: “Infrastructure UK has set out an ambitious programme of change for both the government client and our industry, and it is essential that we all work together to deliver an infrastructure sector that is fit for the 21st century.

The Charter is at the heart of this change, defining and delivering a new model for behaviours by both the client and the supply chain.”