Opinion

Busy industry gives Progress Network confidence to expand

Lucy Carraz

I have noticed a renewed feeling of confidence in our industry. It was heartening to see the government set out its updated National Infrastructure Plan in December, with £375bn of planned private and public sector investment. And there appears to be cross-party recognition of the importance of infrastructure in spurring economic growth. 

Within our Progress Network, there is a real sense of excitement about the future. Many young engineers and consultants are eager to contribute to ambitious projects that will have a lasting impact on the country. The Government’s green light for infrastructure is also an opportunity for our members to gain vital, career-enhancing experience. 

More than 4,600 permanent new jobs will be created as a result of the operation of the Mersey Gateway, alongside regeneration activity, inward investment, and the diversion of through traffic away from the city centre. 

The Midlands branch of the Progress Network will have its launch event in September, and many of its members will no doubt contribute to HS2. A project of this magnitude will transform a great many careers, just as it will transform the North-South rail network.  

The Progress Network’s Scotland branch will hold its first event this summer. According to the Scottish Executive, investment in infrastructure has supported 40,000 Scottish jobs in the past year. It is indeed a time of significant infrastructure investment with the Forth Replacement Crossing, in which we are involved as a member of the design checker joint venture, and Network Rail’s recently announced five-year, £5bn investment programme for Scotland. 

In the North West, the recent £270m guarantee for the Mersey Gateway Project is another example of infrastructure investment. More than 4,600 permanent new jobs will be created as a result of the operation of the Mersey Gateway, alongside regeneration activity, inward investment, and the diversion of through traffic away from the city centre. 

I hope this project will encourage young engineers and consultants in the North West to get involved in their local Progress Network when it launches this year.

Lucy Carraz is chair of the ACE’s Progress Network and a Technical Director at URS.