13 August 2025

How will the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) reshape the future of transport and placemaking across England and Wales? Chris Wood, Technical Director at WSP, shares four key insights.

Following confirmation of government support for long-term investment in transport infrastructure, the industry had been keenly anticipating the ‘investor-focused’ National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) for details on specific projects across England and Wales.

Certainly, for combined authorities, mayors, and regional transport bodies looking to transform their city’s regions, NISTA (National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority)’s publication of the NIP makes for happy reading.

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1. Build confidence, unlock funding

With £15.6bn earmarked for transport infrastructure in the last spending review, the NIP confirms how this funding will be allocated to support local transport ambitions, among them major metro and light rail schemes, including the extension of Manchester Metrolink to Stockport and the renewal of Sheffield Supertram.

It will provide a regularly updated and comprehensive pipeline, giving private investors more transparency regarding project details, timelines and funding commitments, building their trust and encouraging the supply chain to grow, upskill and innovate.

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2. Break siloes, think holistically

Transport, housing and energy shouldn’t exist in isolation. The NIP presents a truly strategic view of national planned infrastructure investment, encouraging joined-up thinking and helping government bodies make decisions based on local needs, not just business cases. That shift unlocks smarter, more human-centered infrastructure.

3. Make places, not just projects

Transformative transport projects that consider the bigger picture bring broader benefits to their communities. For example, Manchester Metrolink delivered more than increased passenger capacity. It brought economic, social and environmental benefits to Greater Manchester. The Metrolink facilitated access to jobs, education and healthcare, while supporting large-scale regeneration programmes like those in Wythenshawe, helping narrow regional inequalities.

The much-anticipated Birmingham Sports Quarter is an example of place-making in action. We have seen how investment begets investment; the development of Birmingham City Football Club leading the regeneration of a deprived part of the UK’s second largest city, promising to introduce new transport links, new housing and more. 

The implementation of the NIP should help spearhead the delivery of similar projects across the country.

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4. Empower collaboration

With £39bn committed to social and affordable housing, joined-up thinking around how transport and other hard infrastructure requirements should be integrated as part of a place-based approach should be that much clearer through NIP, encouraging more collaboration between delivery bodies and the private sector. This is a win-win: property developers that factor in public transport connectivity or active travel options will add value to their housing developments by creating more attractive communities; train operators will see increased passenger revenue if new stations are created that entice and encourage homeowners and residents to use their services. And all of this while reducing pressure on the road network.

The NIP’s clarity makes collaboration easier. Together with plans set out by the Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government (MHCLG)’s Devolution White Paper and the arrival of Great British Railways, we’re seeing a welcome shift toward integrated decision-making.

Ultimately, the NIP will make it easier for a joined-approach to place-making, one where housing and transport, in addition to utilities and other hard infrastructure investment, are considered together. 

The challenge now is for all parties to embrace this approach, drive a real commitment to place-based betterment and ensure decision making processes are aligned to enable holistic decisions to be taken. The whole will be much greater than the sum of its parts!