Comment

Editor’s message and March/April 2017 magazine download

The north takes centre stage in the March/April issue of Infrastructure Intelligence, says Andy Walker in his editor's comment in the latest edition of the magazine.

This edition of Infrastructure Intelligence has a distinctly northern flavour about it, which is fitting given all the recent talk from government ministers about rebalancing the economy, investing in the regions and making sure that no one is left behind.

We report from Leeds on how the city is going about spending its £270m transport investment pot (pages 3-4) and speak to the city’s council leader about the importance of winning public support for infrastructure projects (page 30). We also hear about why the time is right to start a high-profile campaign for a ‘Crossrail for the north’ (page 22).

The government’s industrial strategy is put under the microscope as we hear from key industry figures about what they think of Theresa May’s latest efforts at reducing the north-south divide (pages 6-7) and we also get the low-down on a new framework to help smart cities be even smarter (page 9).

As sustainability becomes ever more mainstream, we report on a series of initiatives that will help infrastructure to step up to the plate and improve its green footprint (pages 10-11 and 15) and we also turn the spotlight on energy storage which has real potential, if implemented properly, to save the UK a small fortune (page 23).

For our cover story we turn a much-needed spotlight on SME firms with an interesting interview with Clancy Consulting’s chief executive Alan Bramwell (pages 16-18). He tells us about how the north west-based firm is punching above its weight in a competitive marketplace by doing things right, valuing staff and clients and working on interesting projects.

We also have a special feature on European transport infrastructure (pages 20-21) and how policies have improved significantly over the last two decades, shifting the focus from national projects to viewing transport as an integrated network across the continent and beyond. 

In a fresh take on the skills shortage, we hear from Turner &Townsend’s Patricia Moore on how the high-profile mega-projects the industry will soon be delivering should be used as a publicity opportunity to boost the image of construction as an innovative, exciting and socially responsible sector to work in (page 25).

We have all of the above and a whole lot more packed into 32 pages. I hope you enjoy the read and please do keep sending us your feedback, articles and comments.

Andy Walker is the editor of Infrastructure Intelligence.

Click here to download the March/April 2017 edition of the magazine.

If you would like to contact Andy Walker about this, or any other story, please email awalker@infrastructure-intelligence.com.