Lord Adonis, who was transport secretary between 2009 and 2010, has chaired the Commission since it was first established in October 2015. Four new commissioners will also join the NIC as it develops a National Infrastructure Assessment.Chancellor Philip Hammond said: ‘The National Infrastructure Commission plays a crucial role to help ensure the UK’s infrastructure is fit for the future.

‘I am pleased to announce that we have appointed Lord Adonis as the permanent chair. He has great ambition, vision and energy, and brings cabinet-level experience and deep knowledge of infrastructure to this role.’

Lord Adonis said: ‘I’m delighted to have been formally appointed as chair of the NIC and to be able to build on the work that I began as interim Chair.

‘Our infrastructure networks are central to the UK’s economy and society, but too often their planning has been piecemeal and short-term. The NIC provides the opportunity to transform this and deliver the infrastructure that the UK needs to ensure its prosperity over the coming decades.

Marie-Claude Hemming, director of external affairs for the Civil Engineering Contractors Association, said: ‘These appointments will ensure that the NIC will be able to provide impartial analysis of the UK’s infrastructure needs based on a long-term perspective.

‘Both Lord Adonis and Sir John will bring a wealth of experience to the important work the NIC will undertake in advising on the UK’s infrastructure needs in the coming years.’

The new commissioners are Dame Kate Barker, Professor David Fisk, Andy Green and Julia Prescot.

Dame Kate Barker is a business economist, and was a member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee from 2001 to 2010.

David Fisk is Emeritus Professor of Systems Engineering and Innovation at the Centre for Systems Engineering and Infrastructure at Imperial College London, and a member of the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority.

Andy Green is a business leader. He currently chairs IG Group plc, a global leader in online trading, and the Digital Catapult, an initiative to help grow the UK digital economy.

Julia Prescot is chief strategy officer at Meridiam, a global investor and asset manager specialising in public infrastructure.

The Government has also asked existing interim members Tim Besley, Demis Hassabis, Sadie Morgan and Bridget Rosewell to serve as ‘permanent commissioners’ until October 2020.