The Infrastructure Podcast

It’s manifesto week – which means there’s still another three and a half weeks until the General Election. Yet sadly it’s unlikely we’ll hear much from any of the major parties about the power of engineering when it comes to transforming the UK. So why is that? And does it matter? Well, Sir Jim McDonald, president of the Royal Academy of Engineering and one of the UK’s foremost professional engineers joins me on The Infrastructure Podcast this week to discuss this issues – and he reckons that, while amplification is of course still needed, engineers’ voices are now being heard – and acted upon - in the corridors of power and policy. So if you want to hear more about where the power of professional engineering is landing when it comes to driving big issues facing society – or if you just want a 30 minute break from wall-to-wall Election coverage - have a listen at https://lnkd.in/euWQHA9m .  #infrastructure #podcast #energy #design #decarbonisation #leadership #transformation #relationships #Governance University of Strathclyde Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult National Physical Laboratory (NPL)

Do you use public transport?  Well depending on where you live, you’ll either love it or loathe it; rely on it or avoid using it; eulogise or moan about it. But you’ll certainly have a view on it! Thomas Ableman, Transport for London’s director of strategy & innovation is passionate about making everyone love their #publictransport. He joins me on The Infrastructure Podcast to discuss what makes public transport work, the role that technology must play to drive its future success but also why understanding the desired strategic outcomes from investment is the first, crucial place to start. As he prepares to leave his role at TfL to set up #Freewheeling a new start up business helping to drive more innovative thinking into the public transport world, Thomas explains why nailing those strategic outcomes must come before any thinking about technology needed to support our solutions. So have a listen at https://lnkd.in/enSRbHsM. If you use public transport, design public transport or have a view on public transport, it’s worth a listen!  #infrastructure #podcast #transport #design #decarbonisation #leadership #transformation #relationships #governance #innovation #tube

Climate, people, places and value – the infrastructure outcomes that really matter. A few days after launching the National Infrastructure Commission's new project level design principles guidance, Clare Donnelly, architect and NIC design panel member joins me on The Infrastructure Podcast.   Clare explains why getting these outcomes right from day one of any major infrastructure project is critical to project success and should be the cornerstone of every infrastructure professional’s approach to project delivery. So as you enjoy your bank holiday rest, have a listen at https://lnkd.in/evh7tGnK as Clare takes on the journey her design thinking. For anyone interested in designing and building the right stuff for the right reasons, it's highly recommended! #infrastructure #podcast #design #decarbonisation #leadership #transformation #relationships #Governance Fereday Pollard Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Tideway London Lower Thames Crossing National Highways

If you are trying to use the strike affected bank holiday public transport system today, check out The Infrastructure Podcast this morning for a delightful conversation about transforming UK transport with Colette Carroll. It’s an eye-opener! Colette is AtkinsRéalis managing director for transportation and having worked in transportation policy, delivery and contracting with Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom HS2 (High Speed Two) Ltd and the London 2012 Olympic Games, there is plenty of food for thought in there. Have a listen at https://lnkd.in/egvfBM9P Topics include: 💡 The barriers to creating effective public transport  💡Rail Reform 💡Making public transport an Election relevant issue 💡Future skills - future talents #infrastructure #podcast #design #decarbonisation #leadership Railway Industry Association 

Anyone else think buying the right rail ticket is still too complicated, confusing and frustrating? Well according to the Railway Industry Association's latest report Destination: Revenue Growth, 58% of us think there are simply too many ticket options available - in fact 71% of those aged 65+! Fortunately Milda Manomaityte, RIA's innovation director has a plan to solve the problem. And she has shared it with The Infrastructure Podcast this week! So have a listen at: https://lnkd.in/eFT4-J_d - it's an interesting challenge for sure. #infrastructure #rail #ticketing #transport #technology

Some great graphics and powerful stats in the Asphalt Industry Alliance 2024 Alarm survey today - as discussed with Steve Gooding director of RAC Foundation on The Infrastructure Podcast this week, there is some big local road maintenance thinking needed ahead. "We need to find better ways - better engineering and better chemistry - of repairing and sustaining the network. Because we're never going to have that however many billion pounds the Alarm survey highlights." Have a listen at https://lnkd.in/emvxGYRk #infrastructure #podcast #roads #transport #potholes #congestion CILT (UK) Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) University of the West of England Transport Technology Forum

An interesting listen!

How to tackle a tricky issue like decarbonisation: 1. Understand there is rarely a perfect solution, you have to choose between a few imperfect solutions; 2. Know that behind every issue on your desk are real people and real lives. Faustine Delasalle, chief executive of Mission Possible Partnership on The Infrastructure Podcast - https://lnkd.in/eTntxnDi Bezos Earth Fund Energy Transitions Commission We Mean Business Coalition RMI World Economic Forum Royal Schiphol Group Schneider Electric BASF Bank of America Wan Hai Lines International Trade Union Confederation - ITUC Breakthrough Energy GE Vernova Heidelberg Materials Jacqueline (Jacque) Hinman

A real world decarbonisation plan means we need a fundamental rethink on the role of infrastructure if we are to make a real world difference – best start now then... Faustine Delasalle, chief executive of the Mission Possible Partnership, joins me on @The Infrastructure Podcast this week to talk about the future for decarbonising industry and the role that infrastructure must play. Have a listen at https://lnkd.in/eTntxnDi to hear what Faustine has to say about the global challenges ahead: “It's about doing the right infrastructure, less roads, more railways, less pipelines, more transmission lines in the electricity system. And doing it in the right way, using green construction materials, using smart design to use less materials, ensuring that the infrastructure is resilient to climate change.” #infrastructure #podcast #climatechange #decarbonisation #leadership #COP28 #transforminginfrastructure #WomenInScience

Coming from the outside, prisons are a slightly mysterious place, explains Sue McElroy on The Infrastructure Podcast. It’s powerful stuff – certainly goes beyond transforming construction. Have a listen at https://lnkd.in/eTntxnDi (– or on Apple Spotify Google etc etc) “Being able to bridge that gap between justice and projects, is just fascinating. When you get that understanding, and you see that purpose land with others and what they're contributing to, it's just really, really rewarding.” Ministry of Justice UK Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) Cabinet Office  #infrastructure #podcast #prisons #mmc #socialvalue #leadership #platformdesign #transforminginfrastructure