Two well known faces in the field of Infrastructure and Civil Engineering met last week to discuss their views on the prospects for the Civil Engineering industry and also to give a steer to the incoming government on how civil engineering can contribute to the UK’s economic recovery and low carbon aspirations.
Tom Foulkes, Director General of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) was the first on stage and began his speech by saying that the level of political accountability for infrastructure is “very very low” with a recent HM Treasury report identifying the need to spend £50bn per year for the next ten years. Following this Tom did recognize that “governments all over the world are beginning to understand that you cannot take infrastructure for granted, you cannot leave it to chance”, he then went on to say that from the new government “we need a national infrastructure bank and we need prioritization of infrastructure requirements”.
Tom was joined on stage by Antony Oliver, Editor of the New Civil Engineer (NCE) Magazine. Antony, who has edited the NCE for nine years, gave one key message throughout his speech which was “We need more for less”. Addressing a lecture theatre full of professionals from with the infrastructure and civil engineering profession he said “The industry has to get its house in order and become less expensive and deliver more for less, engineers will be challenged to rethink everything we do and value management must be embraced.”
The event which attracted over 100 attendees from across the West Midlands was hosted by the Institution of Civil Engineers and held at Austin Court, Birmingham.
Steve Feeley, Head of English Regions and Regional Director, of ICE West Midlands said:
“This event gave a fascinating insight into what these prominent industry figures think is the bigger picture on the future of UK Infrastructure, and what better time than two weeks prior to the election of a new government.”