Message from the editor | Issue 04 | September 14

In his interview with Infrastructure Intelligence this month, new Highways Agency chairman Colin Matthews is very clear about the need for the whole industry to embrace new technologies and new ideas as the Agency embarks on its £24bn investment programme. 

“This is not a business as usual static environment,” he said. “It is a fantastic opportunity with some really serious investment behind it to take Britain’s roads on a journey,” 

And while it is absolutely clear that to accommodate the scary prediction for a 46% growth in traffic on the nation’s strategic road network by 2040 we will have to spend some of that money improving and enhancing the physical network, it is also clear that technology will have to play a massive role.

The trick for the infrastructure will be to convince this new generation that, against the backdrop of newer, perceived higher tech industries, there are future career paths for them in more “traditional” sectors such as roads, rail, energy or water management.

So as the Agency morphs from an infrastructure-focused organisation to a customer-focused business, the supply chain that delivers the maintenance, management and enhancement of this critical national asset must be similarly prepared for the cultural change required.

In short, our highways network will have to be as sophisticated and digitally connected as the vehicles, drivers and customers that use it. And given the scale of investment going in to this area by vehicle manufacturers and technology businesses, the infrastructure profession is unquestionably going to have to raise its game.

All of which makes it absolutely vital that we encourage the next generation of raw tech-savvy talent now pouring out of schools. As we highlight this week with our analysis of the Technical Apprenticeship Consortium, there is without question a mass of talent available. 

The trick for the infrastructure will be to convince this new generation that, against the backdrop of newer, perceived higher tech industries, there are future career paths for them in more “traditional” sectors such as roads, rail, energy or water management. 

It is a culture change that must start from the top. The future for infrastructure is being smart. The future for infrastructure professionals means embracing and investing in this new future. 

Antony Oliver is the Editor of Infrastructure Intelligence