The Institution of Civil Engineers has called on the government to ensure airport investment continues after Ferrovial takeover

The Institution of Civil has called on the government to ensure the planned expansion of major airports is not jeopardised by the takeover of BAA, in a major infrastructure report published today.

The ICE鈥檚 state of the nation report calls on the government and Civil Aviation Authority to provide safeguards that the recent Ferrovial takeover of BAA will not affect investment or timescales of improvement projects at airports.

The report says that the proposals and timetables for expansion at Gatwick, Heathrow and Stansted are currently being reassessed by the new owners.

In its report, which assesses the state of the UK鈥檚 infrastructure and future needs, the ICE also claims there are discrepancies between the housing-growth projects issued by water companies and those in the 2003 Sustainable Communities Plan from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

The ICE is calling for more consistency in the forecasts on which government and water companies make their plans. It is also calling for investment in new reservoirs, stepping up the replacement of old water mains, and the recycling of sewage effluent into clean water.

Overall, the ICE awarded the government a grade C- for its performance on UK infrastructure, with a grade C for its focus on sustainability.