Mayor of London and London Councils unveil new London Infrastructure Framework to drive growth

The Mayor of London and London Councils, working in partnership with local authorities, utilities, industry partners and Transport for London, have launched the London Infrastructure Framework. With the technical development of the framework delivered by Mott MacDonald, it is a bold, long-term plan for London’s infrastructure which is critical to the city’s growth ambitions.

The capital is rapidly growing with an expanding population, new businesses and new technology demands. Alongside this growth, we need to make London more resilient. To achieve this, the capital needs reliable transport networks, secure energy systems, resilient water and wastewater services, strong flood protection and world-class digital connectivity.

London is a global hub for AI innovation, with renowned companies headquarters now based in the capital. As part of this rapidly expanding sector, London needs to expand electrical capacity. This framework sets out how we can keep London at the forefront of technology and meet the demands of a booming AI sector as well more housing and other developments.

London could see demand for utilities such as electricity and water outstrip supply, hampering our growth potential. These challenges are intensified by an old and fragile infrastructure system.

This framework seeks to harness new infrastructure investment as a catalyst for increasing prosperity, strengthening climate resilience and accelerating progress on sustainable growth that benefits every Londoner. It also makes the case for maintaining and strengthening existing systems, as well as highlight the importance of maintaining and renewing ageing assets, including utilities, road and railway assets and river crossings, as part of the infrastructure London needs to enable future growth.

The framework sets out a pipeline of 51 priority projects across transport, energy, waste, water, flood risk and digital connectivity sectors. These projects represent the most impactful schemes to unlock London’s growth and ensure resilience. Example projects include: 

• West London Orbital – the creation of a London Overground route to enhance public transport capacity in west and northwest London to relieve pressure on existing corridors and deliver new homes and jobs in west and northwest London.
• London Power Tunnels Phase 2 – this sets out to increase capacity and enhance network resilience by constructing new underground tunnels for electricity circuits. This work is essential in future-proofing London's electricity network and ensuring we can power new homes, support the shift to low carbon transport and heating, and keep communities connected to safe and reliable electricity.
• Digital Connectivity for Growth – this delivers fibre and mobile infrastructure to support growth sectors and high density development, futureproofing housing, commercial activity, public services and data centres by addressing capacity constraints and strengthening connectivity.
• Thames Estuary 2100 Programme, - this delivers long-term flood risk management across the estuary, including barrier upgrades, embankment improvements and adaptive planning milestones alongside tidal defence projects.

This framework sets out how London government will deliver infrastructure improvements and modernisation, working with Government, investors and business ensuring foundations that will secure London’s resilience, competitiveness and growth for decades to come.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “It’s crucial that we increase levels of investment to ensure our city has the right infrastructure to meet the current and future needs of Londoners and businesses.”

“This framework, developed in conjunction with London Councils, builds on the progress already made and provides a springboard for the next phase of our long-term

investment plans. I’m calling on partners - public and private - to join us in delivering the infrastructure our city needs to secure London’s resilience, competitiveness and growth for decades to come.

“Londoners are at the heart of this plan, ensuring that everyone benefits from the opportunities that modern, well-planned infrastructure creates, as we continue building a better and more prosperous London for everyone.”

London’s future relies on the infrastructure choices we make today.

Zach Wilcox, director of place economics at Mott MacDonald, who has led the technical development of the framework said: "London’s future relies on the infrastructure choices we make today. This Framework brings together a pan-London view of the transport, energy, water, digital and waste systems that our communities and businesses depend on. By listening to stakeholders, reflecting London government's priorities and using evidence-led objective assessment, it gives London's leaders the framework to unlock new homes, strengthen resilience and create the conditions for inclusive, long term economic growth across every part of the city.

“Mott MacDonald has been proud to bring its technical rigour to this framework by helping to identify projects, assess key interdependencies between systems and work with stakeholders across the capital on a unified approach.”

Cllr Claire Holland, chair of London Councils said: “London needs the right infrastructure in the right places if we are to drive growth and tackle some of the capital’s major challenges – from the housing crisis to climate change.

“Whether it is securing new transport connections to facilitate housebuilding, boosting electricity capacity or expanding digital access, London must work together to deliver these priorities.

“Our new London Infrastructure Framework is a major step forward for co-ordinating our approach and helping secure the investment we need to make these ambitions a reality. We are pleased to be leading this work with the Mayor and other key partners to ensure London is equipped to succeed in the years to come.”

London’s transport commissioner, Andy Lord, said: “Sustained investment in infrastructure is vital to ensure continued growth across the city, and this new framework sets out the bold, long-term plan for London’s infrastructure needs. With a growing population, we need to ensure that London remains resilient, through new infrastructure to unlock growth, as well as maintaining existing critical assets like our railways, roads and river crossings to keep them open and accessible to all. By working closely with partners across London and the wider UK, we can truly deliver the growth needed in our capital city.”