Tunnelling Society Chair Calls for Planning Reform

Alastair Smith, the new chair of the British Tunnelling Society (BTS) and Jacobs' director for tunnels in Europe, has outlined his priorities for the industry, focusing on reforming planning processes and enhancing public understanding of tunnelling projects. Smith, who has a career spanning five decades including work on the Channel Tunnel after graduating in 1988, stated that current planning rules are often set too early in the project lifecycle. This, he explained, restricts innovation and the adoption of more efficient techniques due to a lack of complete information at the decision-making stage. He told New Civil Engineer that the extensive consenting process adds significant complexity to project delivery.

Improving Industry Image and Communication

Read Next in London Travel News4 min read

AtkinsRéalis secures six TfL contracts for London transport upgrades

The firm will provide project management, commercial and risk services under a three-year framework worth potential future work

Smith expressed concern that the public often only remembers the disruption caused by construction and focuses on the high costs of tunnels, overlooking their long-term benefits. He aims to improve the image of tunnelling by making its complexities and advantages clearer. The BTS is collaborating with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) to develop simple explainers for the public. Smith believes better communication is essential to demonstrate why tunnels are necessary solutions when other construction methods would cause unacceptable disruption, highlighting projects like Crossrail and Thames Tideway as examples of essential underground infrastructure.

He also stressed the importance of engaging with parliamentarians to ensure they understand the intricacies and benefits of tunnelling projects, as these are significantly influenced by government decisions due to long pre-construction periods. Smith advocates for a comprehensive future infrastructure plan to provide continuity and drive efficiencies.

Addressing Skills Shortages

Related Borough Coverage3 min read

Network Rail invests £2.6bn in weather resilience

The company is increasing spending on climate adaptation after extreme weather events and a developing El Niño.

Another key focus for Smith's tenure is the training of future tunnelling engineers. He noted that companies are struggling to find graduates with the necessary skills, a situation exacerbated by the termination of the Tunnelling MSc program at the University of Warwick. Smith stated that while the industry provides training, the loss of dedicated academic education in specialised tunnelling knowledge, including risk management, is a significant setback. The BTS is seeking industry commitment from consultants and contractors to support the viability of running such a Master's program again, which he believes is crucial for the sector.

Driving Innovation and Decarbonisation

Smith also identified decarbonisation as a significant challenge for the tunnelling industry, given the large volumes of spoil and concrete involved. He noted the industry's hesitation to be the first to adopt new innovations, despite the long lifespan of tunnelling assets. While cement replacements have been used for years, Smith suggested that the industry needs to set more ambitious baselines for its environmental targets. He proposed that a coordinated research programme with universities, generating shared data, would be more effective than individual companies testing innovations.