WALES risks falling behind on its long-term infrastructure needs unless major barriers to planning, funding and delivery are tackled, a leading advisory body has warned.

The National Infrastructure Commission for Wales (NICW) this week (Mar 23) published two major reports setting out what the country will need over the next 80 years — and why current systems are failing to deliver.

The Wales Infrastructure Assessment examines key sectors including energy, transport, water, digital and the circular economy, while a separate Infrastructure Delivery Report focuses on how projects can be better planned, funded and completed.

The Commission says that despite strong policies already in place, many major projects are delayed or fail to progress due to systemic problems. These include complex approval processes, short-term political and funding cycles, and a shortage of skilled workers.

It also highlights a lack of joined-up thinking across sectors, with transport, energy and digital systems often planned in isolation, leading to inefficiencies and missed opportunities.

Concerns were also raised about fragile confidence among communities and investors, driven by frequent policy changes, inconsistent engagement and uncertainty over long-term funding.

NICW has identified eight priority actions to improve delivery, including longer-term funding commitments, planning reform, better collaboration between sectors, investment in skills, and earlier engagement with communities.

Dr David Clubb, Chair of the Commission, said: “Wales has no shortage of ambition. What we face is a shortage of delivery. Unless we address the structural barriers in the system, we will not meet the needs of current or future generations.

“The next Senedd must be prepared to make long-term, and sometimes difficult, choices.”

The reports also stress the importance of better data and long-term planning, drawing on international approaches to support more informed decision-making.

With the Senedd election approaching, the Commission said the next Welsh Government will have a critical opportunity to reset how infrastructure is delivered — and warned that failure to act could undermine economic growth, climate targets and public confidence.

SAMUEL KURTZ MS has renewed calls for stronger action to tackle water pollution in Pembrokeshire after joining local open water swimmers in Saundersfoot.

The Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Senedd Member attended a morning sea swim with groups including the Numb Nuts and the Blue Tits on Friday (Mar 13), where concerns were raised about sewage discharges into Welsh waterways.

He said public frustration over water quality was continuing to grow.

“Pembrokeshire is blessed with some of the most beautiful coastline and waterways in the UK, and they should be protected for everyone who lives here and enjoys them,” said Mr Kurtz.

“However, I regularly hear from residents, swimmers, surfers and local businesses who are deeply frustrated by repeated reports of sewage discharges into our rivers and seas, while water company executives continue to receive large bonuses or hide behind a not-for-profit status.”

Mr Kurtz welcomed enforcement action taken against Welsh Water following pollution incidents, but warned that fines alone were not enough.

“Penalties must lead to meaningful improvements,” he said. “The money should be reinvested directly into upgrading sewage infrastructure so these incidents become far less frequent.

“Customers should not be left paying higher water bills to fix failures that should have been addressed years ago.”

He also stressed that responsibility for water quality lies with the Welsh Government.

“Water quality in Wales is fully devolved, meaning decisions about regulation, environmental standards and oversight are made here in Wales, not in Westminster,” he said.

Mr Kurtz has repeatedly raised concerns in the Senedd about pollution affecting Pembrokeshire’s rivers and coastline, including the River Cleddau and designated bathing waters.

In a previous debate, he called for a statutory duty on water companies to take all reasonable steps to prevent sewage discharges into rivers, lakes and the sea—similar to measures introduced in England. The proposal was rejected by Welsh Labour ministers.

He said the response reflected a wider reluctance to adopt stronger measures.

“Time and again I have raised concerns about sewage discharges and their impact on our environment, only to see sensible proposals dismissed,” he said.

“This isn’t about politics—it’s about protecting our environment and restoring public confidence in the safety of our waterways.”

Mr Kurtz also highlighted the role of community groups and local initiatives, including the Cleddau Project, which aims to improve the ecological health of the river catchment.

“There is some excellent work happening locally,” he said. “But we need a joined-up, Wales-wide approach rather than piecemeal action.

“That means tackling sewage infrastructure, agricultural run-off, environmental monitoring and enforcement together. I will continue to press this issue in the Senedd.”

THE WELSH CONSERVATIVES have tabled a Senedd debate this week setting out what they describe as a plan to “fix Wales” after nearly three decades of Labour-led government.

The party claims that, after twenty-seven years of Labour in power — supported at times by Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats — Wales is falling behind the rest of the UK on key measures including health, education and the economy.

Figures highlighted by the Conservatives include one in four people currently on NHS waiting lists, with thousands waiting more than two years for treatment. Emergency departments in Wales are also said to be among the worst performing in Britain.

In education, Wales continues to rank at or near the bottom of UK league tables, with rising absenteeism and ongoing concerns over teacher recruitment and morale.

Economically, the party says Wales has some of the lowest wages in Great Britain and faces ongoing challenges in boosting productivity and employment.

Ahead of the debate, the Conservatives outlined a series of policy proposals, including:

• Cutting income tax by 1p to stimulate growth
• Declaring a health emergency to tackle NHS backlogs and increase bed capacity
• Scrapping stamp duty on primary homes
• Removing business rates for pubs, post offices and small firms
• Expanding free childcare, including allowing payments to grandparents
• Providing a £100 million boost for farmers and replacing the proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme
• Investing in infrastructure, including the M4 relief road and upgrades to the A55 and A40
• Reversing default 20mph speed limits
• Reducing bureaucracy and focusing on frontline delivery

Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Darren Millar MS said the current system “isn’t working” and argued his party has a “credible and costed plan” to improve public services and economic performance.

He said: “We will cut taxes, boost growth, and fix our public services.

“We want to see a Wales that thrives, with a stronger economy, a properly functioning NHS, and opportunities for people in every corner of the country.”

The debate is scheduled to take place in the Senedd on Wednesday evening.