The Infrastructure Podcast

In this latest podcast we  explore the role that investment in infrastructure can play to accelerate the global journey to net zero.So, where to start? Well, the UK National Infrastructure Commission recently highlighted the huge challenge that we face globally to decarbonise our economies – essentially pointing out that our path towards creating a truly sustainable future has only just begun. One clear challenge is that, despite a huge investment in renewable energy generation and efforts to manage demand, around 80% of the UK’s energy needs are still now met by fossil fuels. However, the NIC added that decarbonising our economies - the way electricity is generated, our homes are heated, our vehicles are fuelled and that industry is powered - is highly achievable. Provided we act now and act fast. It’s a massive global challenge for sure.But it’s a challenge that, I hope, my guest will be able to shed some light on. He has just published a report titled “Closing the sustainable infrastructure gap to achieve net zero” which highlights a $64 trillion dollar global shortfall between current investment policies and those required by governments around the world to meet the $139 trillion dollar investment needed to achieve net zero by 2050. And the UK, he points out, is one of the countries that needs to raise its game. So let’s hear some more. It’s my pleasure to welcome Chris Lewis, Global Head of Infrastructure at consultant EY to the Infrastructure Podcast. ResourcesClosing the sustainable infrastructure gap to achieve net zeroNational Infrastructure Commission 2023 AssessmentEY global government and public infrastructureAbout Chris Lewis

In this podcast we discuss the challenge of Transforming Infrastructure Performance through accelerating our use of data and the Internet of Things (IOT). It’s a concept which having been tabled by the UK Government’s Infrastructure and Projects Authority, is now, without question, top of mind for every cash-strapped public and private asset owner and operator looking to close the gap between outcome aspiration and resource reality.As I have reflected before, the future of our built environment depends on doing more with less but also on achieving better economic and social outcomes. The pressure to create more sustainable solutions is growing as legally binding net zero emissions target bear down, and the need to protect our natural environment grows.To achieve these goals it is clear that the global infrastructure sector must radically shift its thinking and in particular ramp investment in digitalisation to embrace the power of new data analysis technologies an artificial intelligence and IOT to accelerate towards the vital change.To discuss this complex challenge, I am joined today by Meredith Hodgman, Policy Lead, for the Internet of Things Alliance in Australia. Meredith joined me recently in Singapore at the 2023 Transforming Infrastructure Performance summit hosted by Bentley Systems where she chaired the event and provided great insight and wisdom into the power of digitalisation. Resources:Transforming Infrastructure Performance Summit 2023Infrastructure and Projects Authority TIP Roadmap to 2030Internet of Things Alliance in Australia

In this podcast we look in some detail at the National Infrastructure Commission’s recently released Second National Infrastructure Assessment.As I’m sure you will know, the National Infrastructure Commission’s role is to provide the UK Government with impartial, expert advice on major long term infrastructure challenges. It’s first five yearly National Infrastructure Assessment was published in 2018 and was a something of a seminal moment, signalling for the first time a new long term approach to planning the UK’s approach.Five years on and this year’s NIA focus on a number of strategic priorities for the UK’s national infrastructure not least the need to reaching net zero by 2050 – and be on track to decarbonise electricity, transport, industry and the way we heat our homes by the Sixth Carbon Budget in 2035.It also prioritises the need to reducing environmental impacts from our infrastructure and ensure that we are ready to adapt to a changing climate – particular a drier climate with more pressure on our water supplies. And of course it puts focus on supporting the on-going agenda to level up the UK economy and creating sustainable economic growth across all regions of the UK by investing in national and local transport, power supplies and the high speed telecommunications needed to support communities.As Sir John Armitt, chair of the Commission says “The hardest part is of course turning policy into delivery on the ground. People often talk about infrastructure as the backbone of our economy: what our infrastructure needs now is the collective mettle to turn commitments into action that will reap rewards for decades to come”. Something certainly to discuss, not least in light of the recent snap decision by the Prime Minsiter to cancel the norther leg of the HS2 project.Lots to talk about so it is my pleasure to welcome James Heath, chief executive, National Infrastructure Commission. As the person who has navigated some very difficult ground over the last few years to pull together this report, his view on the priorities arrived at by the commissions will be insightful.ResourcesThe NIC Second National Infrastructure Assessment in fullRead a summary of the NIA hereThe NIC website The first National Infrastructure Assessment 2018

In today’s podcast we will be expanding our minds to hear some of the very latest thinking around how the infrastructure sector is set to continue accelerating its towards digitisation, embracing the use of data and building expanding its so-called “infrastructure intelligence”.The podcast is recorded in Singapore at the 2023 Bentley Systems Year in Infrastructure event in the very impressive Marina Bay Sands hotel. It is indeed a great place to be inspired and energised by the opportunities and achievements that technology has to offer this built environment sector. And, given Singapore’s 50 year infrastructure strategy, it’s a great place to be inspired about how to plan and deliver nationally significant investment.The future of our built environment depends on doing more with less and on achieving better economic and social outcomes for communities. That means creating new, sustainable solutions that will both protect our natural environment and meet global target for cutting carbon emissions. It is clear that to achieve these goals the architecture engineering and construction sector needs digitalisation. It needs to use the power of AI and data analysis tools to make better decisions and deliver the vital outcomes needed today to change the world for the better tomorrow. That means helping public and private client to create the vital market confidence required for the supply chain to accelerate this vital investment in digital transformation.It is a massive challenge. It is therefore my pleasure to welcome Greg Bentley, chief executive officer at Bentley Systems, the man who, for the last three decades or more, has truly been on a mission to, as he might put it, help the infrastructure sector to “go digital” and transform the outcomes delivered to communities around the world.ResourcesBentley Systems Year in Infrastructure 2023Bentley Systems websiteBentley leadership team

In this latest podcast we attempt to shed some light on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s latest Network North proposal.This new package of rail and road improvements was outlined at the recent Conservative Party Conference and trumpeted as a better value alternative to the simultaneously cancelled northern section of the HS2 project which had been scheduled to link Birmingham with Manchester. We have read many words over the last couple of weeks explaining why halting an over budget, over inflated HS2 extension project was the difficult but brave political decision.Yet we have also heard and read a huge amount about why cancelling such a large and strategically significant national infrastructure project will terminally undermine efforts to level up the national economy and destroy market confidence in the UK’s ability to plan major projects.But the decision has been made. And the Department for Transport has rushed out its press releases, maps and plans to explain the detail around precisely what this new Network North is all about. And to attempt to explain the timescales over which any of it will actually be delivered.It warrants deeper explanation. It is therefore my pleasure to welcome Alasdair Reisner, chief executive, Civil Engineering Contractors Association. Of course, while he certainly represents many of the businesses impacted by the HS2 cancellation, he also represent those likely to gain from this new plan – so I hope knows more than most about the reality of what’s been plucked from the Prime Minister’s conference hat.Resources"What can we expect from Network North?"Network North DfT explanationGovernment cancellation of HS2 northern sections Read more of Alasdair Reisner's LinkedIn postsCECA websiteTransport for the North response to Network North

In this episode we return to a discussion about the UK’s vital mobile telecommunications network. Having dipped a toe into this critical sector of the infrastructure market in Episode 19 with Belinda Fawcett of Cornerstone - do check it out - we are back on the subject by what can only be described as popular demand.As I discussed in May, having highspeed internet connectivity beaming into our devices at all times is now considered something close to a human right. Any darkness of service ranges from being hugely annoying to business critical.So, alongside out physical transport systems, ensuring that we have comprehensive 4G - and increasingly now 5G coverage is without a doubt key to creating the connectivity needed to accelerate growth and boost our quality of life across the UK.There is good news. The National Infrastructure Commission has already praised the progress being made by the sector over the last five years. 4G coverage now extends to around 92% of the UK landmass and the Shared Rural Network agreement should increase this to 95% by the end of 2025, with further investment set to connect harder to reach areas by 2027.And progress is being made on the faster 5G roll out with coverage now at around 70% and growing. But we are by no means there yet. Dark areas still exist. Coverage on trains is between haphazard and non-existent. Many rural areas simply have no connection at all.Yet as the Government’s latest Wireless Infrastructure Strategy, explains, hooking up the UK’s 5G network could deliver productivity benefits of £159 billion by 2035. But the commercial viability of full 5G coverage beyond cities and urban centres is still in doubt.To talk about the challenges – and the successes – it is therefore my pleasure to welcome Gareth Elliott,  Director of Policy and Communications at Mobile UK the organisation representing the major telephone companies behind the mobile services that hold all our lives together. ResourcesMobile UK websiteLive Better Connected landing pageHow Connected Are You ChallengeInteractive LandscapeLive Better Connected Podcast Series

Today is a rather special episode in which were are going to look back over half a century of an engineering career - and no doubt leap forward, sideways, upwards and wherever else to predict the future.Back in November 2001 when I was editor of New Civil Engineer magazine, I interviewed today’s guest Mark Whitby. He was just about to take on the role of President of the Institution of Civil Engineers - one of the oldest and most prestigious engineering institutions in the world.After two hours in his company, asking questions and taking notes, I wrote” “his mind has raced through a thousand issues, the conversation leaping with his thoughts through the subjects of bridges, solar powered aircraft, local associations, knowledge sharing, steam engines, power cells, sustainability, urban design, modern art and the culture of engineering.”We were both exhausted!In those days we described Mark Whitby as the “enfant terrible” of the profession – a hugely creative, enthusiastic and passionate engineer, with a love of design, architecture, art and objects of beauty and a talent for building successful businesses - and for rubbing people up the wrong way.“I do wind people up and I am abrupt,” he said. “But my heart is on my sleeve so that everyone knows exactly where I am on issues.” Perfect material for a journalist!Some career indeed. It is 50 years since Mark left London University with a degree in Civil Engineering and after toying with the idea of becoming an architect or landscape architect, set about making his mark as an engineer with firms including Harris & Sutherland, Sir John Fairclough, Buro Happold and Anthony Hunt & Associates.But in 1982 he was ready to take on the world alone, and with colleague Bryn Bird and later Mike Crane, Mark set up what became the hugely successful Whitby, Bird and Partners – a business that he would eventually sell to Danish giant Ramboll in 2007.Not ready to sit back and rest, other businesses followed, including Whitby & Mohajer Engineers (WME) in the UAE, and Whitby Wood in the UK, where he still works today with Seb Wood.ResourcesWhitby Wood websiteThe National grid live - where does our power come from?Ordsall Chord - Vandalism or progress - Rail Engineer magazineEngineering with a passion: Interview with Mark Whitby President of the ICE - NCE

This latest podcast was recorded in Oslo, Norway at the 2023 buildingSmart International Standards Summit, the annual gathering for all those leading the development and adoption of open data and digital systems across the global infrastructure sector.Clearly the built environment sector faces many challenges such as the need to raise productivity, drive towards net zero and boost the economic and social value gained from the vast public spend being committed by governments around the world.The use of data and digital systems, underpinned by new tools such as artificial intelligence and a new ecosystem of digital twins are set to become critical in the race to deliver the more effective, efficient, useful and sustainable infrastructure assets needed to secure the future. Open data is data that can be freely used, re-used and redistributed by anyone, unencumbered by the constraints of software vendors of assets owner requirement is central to making this happen. OpenBIM underpinned by the IFC data standard are some of the buildingSmart concepts being used to try to redefine the world of digital engineering to ensure that data can be shared effortless and without cost up and down the supply chain. To discuss this issue, my guest is Patrick MacLeamy, former chairman and founder of buildingSMART International, and former chief executive of global architecture practice HOK and the man who for the last 30 plus years has been devoted to the principal of open data - and to not only persuading the infrastructure sector to embrace the concept but to also providing the tools to enable it to happen.ResourcesbuildingSMART international websiteIndustry Foundation Classes (IFCSs) explainedUK Government guide to BIM

In this podcast we talk about the future of transport with Iain Stewart MP, chair of the House of Commons Transport Select Committee.In January 2023 the Transport Select Committee kicked off its Our Future Transport campaign, in which the public was invited to pitch ideas on what the Committee should investigate.Over 220 ideas were submitted on a range of topics leading to the shortlisting of 12 applicants who were then invited to pitch to the MPs in a Dragon’s Den-style process.Two ideas made it through the grilling and in June 2023 the Transport Committee launched two major new inquiries – first was into the Future of Transport Data, based on a suggestion by the Railway Industry Association and the company Matatika to investigate the future uses of data in the transport sector to innovate and improve services.The second was the Strategic Transport Objectives inquiry to examine how Government develops strategic objectives for its future transport policy, prompted by Martin Tugwell, chief executive of Transport for the North and Malcolm Brown of Angel Trains.Both inquiries intend to help government form its future transport policy. Both should help guide the way the UK plans and invests in the transport systems that will be key to underpinning the nation’s vital future economic growth, social wellbeing and of course the journey towards a net zero future.The consultation period for the inquiries finished last month in which the committee called for evidence and examples that should help MPs form future policy. In effect the hard yards start now as members of the Committee examine this evidence and put together a set of recommendations to underpin our Future Transport.It is therefore my pleasure to welcome my guest today Iain Stewart MP, chair of the House of Commons Transport Select Committee. Iain has been deeply involved in the Our Transport Future campaign all year so I hope will give us a steer as to how he sees these two inquiries shaping the future of the UK’s transport policyResourcesOur Future Transport campaignTransport Committee launches two new inquiriesThe Future of Transport Data inquiry Strategic Transport Objectives Inquiry

In this podcast we discuss the tricky issue of engaging and winning over communities when planning and delivering new infrastructure projects and policies.Someone once said that a lie can be half way around the world before the truth has even got its boots on. Well in today’s social media driven 24 hour news cycle I would say that the truth is likely to be even further behind nowadays.When it comes to engaging with the public to explain the rationale behind infrastructure investment, design and delivery professionals need to be very aware of this reality. As should politicians.Three recent example spring to mind. The first, of course, is the HS2 project. Hugely controversial from the start but once named High Speed 2, no amount of public relations effort is ever going to convince detractors that this project is about capacity. Second is the equally controversial plan to extend London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone scheme. Designed to improve air quality impacting children’s health – this policy is now spearheading the anti green taxation, anti-Extinction Rebellion, anti-Just Stop Oil lobby and looks set to scupper the UK’s effort to achieve its net zero targets.Finally comes the debate over planning after the government vowed to give local communities choice and the power to veto projects they don’t like – such as onshore wind turbines, about which we are hearing political noise this week that this may well be changed to accelerate the delivery of renewable power. But this debate also covers many other projects such as the vital new power distribution lines needed to power up the electric cars and heat pumps that government is simultaneously mandating. Is that really a choice local communities should make – or be able to make? Navigating this complex, highly emotional and usually very unlevel playing field is difficult. As is getting to the truth behind policies then explaining it to often polarise communities. And de-politicising decisions around infrastructure investment is simply impossible.But navigating the route is a vital part of our infrastructure future which has to be faced if we are to prosper sustainably as a nation. To discuss this conundrum, my guest today is Martin McCrink, managing partner of communications and public engagement specialist Copper Consultancy. Martin has spent a career wading into battles and seeking the vital consensus and compromise require to progress so ideally placed to discuss this knotty issue. Resources Copper Consulting websiteUK government neighbourhood planning guidanceTfL London Low Emission Zone guidance