POPULARITY
In this episode we meet Andrew Barr, President of Hitachi Europe in conversation with Becky Wood at our recent Connected Places Summit, held in London on 19/20 March. Hitachi Europe was one of our strategic Summit partners and we are very grateful for their support. Andrew and Becky sat down in the margins of the Summit to discuss Hitachi's approach to innovation in rail, the work they do in the energy sector, navigating the clean transition, and how data and digital technologies are changing how we think about rail, energy and place. Andrew is President of Hitachi Group's Regional Headquarters for Europe, Middle East & Africa - the company's largest business region outside Japan. He has had a career spanning 20 years at Hitachi, and under his leadership he's played a leading role in shaping the company's global strategy and expansion – and that includes helping governments, cities, and customers cut carbon and accelerate the transition to a more sustainable future. Becky is a partner in EY's infrastructure consulting business, and she's lead a number of complex and high-profile transport infrastructure programmes for the UK's Department for Transport, as well as Crossrail, Thameslink, Intercity Express, and the Trans-Pennine Route Upgrade programme. The recorded sessions from the Summit are now available to view online, and you can also subscribe to our newsletter now to find out all about our plans for our next Summit in 2025! Connected Places Summit website: https://cp.catapult.org.uk/summit/connected-places-summit-2025-wrapped/ Theme music on this episode is by Phill Ward Music (www.phillward.com)
In this episode, Julia chats to Katie Swanick, an Operations Manager at Mott MacDonald Bentley, whose career has ranged from motorways to Crossrail, to some of the UK's largest infrastructure that we all use today. They discuss navigating this exciting field, support networks and management styles.
Okay, so if by Crossrail we mean high capacity suburban rail - yes. And in this episode we'll look at exactly what that might look like for Sheffield and the wider South Yorkshire area. There will be maps! Enjoyed this? Please do consider supporting #Railnatter at https://patreon.com/garethdennis or throw loose change at me via https://paypal.me/garethdennis. Merch at https://garethdennis.co.uk/merch. Join in the discussion at https://garethdennis.co.uk/discord.
In today's podcast we tackle a vital but too often overlooked area of infrastructure delivery namely commissioning – the art and science of preparing and taking assets into service ready to deliver the outcomes required from the investment. It is indeed a vital activity for every infrastructure professional to be aware of. For every asset owner and project sponsor for that matter. And while the results of getting commissioning right are so often unnoticed, the impact of getting it wrong can be commercially, socially, environmentally and politically disastrous.So often fantastic infrastructure projects fall at the final hurdle by either opening late, having to close immediately after opening for retrofit and repair, fail to deliver outcomes to expectation, or see costs spiral as teams rally and race to meet the commercial promises of opening dates.In the UK we might think about delays to the opening of the Jubilee Line Extension and Crossrail projects, West Coast Mainline, baggage handling problems on Heathrow Terminal Five, signalling and train power issues on the Channel Tunnel Rail link - the list goes on. Usually the problem simply comes down to a lack of thought, time, investment and prioritisation for the commissioning process – those vital steps that make the assets ready for operation.It doesn't have to be that way. In fact, according to the Industrial Commissioning Association, a relatively new organisation devoted to improving the quality and performance of commissioning across infrastructure, industrial and process sectors, the more people working on projects understand the importance of commissioning and the value it provides, the more successful projects will be in meeting cost, schedule, and quality objectives.So let's here more about this very attractive proposition and find out about the opportunities and what's holding us back by welcoming Paul Turner, chief executive of the Industrial Commissioning Association who is driving the new organisation forward after a career spent wrestling with commissioning around the world.ResourcesIndustrial Commissioning Association websiteProject Commissioning - Start With the End in Mind reportGlobal Commissioning StandardHow Big Things Get Done
In today's podcast we reflect on last year's HS2 north project cancellation and, one year one, explore what lessons might be learnt for future major project delivery as we move into the Starmer government era.Now, I have been writing about infrastructure projects for 30 years and it seems that when you look back, one consistent theme constantly crops up – the delivery of major infrastructure projects is troublesome to say the least. As an industry we continuously over-promise when it comes to budgets and programme and under-deliver when it comes to social, economic and environmental outcomes. I'm thinking Jubilee Line Extension, Heathrow T5, Channel Rail Link, Crossrail – all fantastic assets today, but the delivery process has left the industry's reputation in the eyes of the public and politicians in tatters. In fact, according to book “How Big Things Get Done” by Flyvbjerg and Gadner, 99.5% of major projects worldwide are over budget, over time and fail to deliver their expected benefits.So when then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced to the Conservative Party Conference in October 2023 that phase 2 of the HS2 project beyond the West Midlands would be cancelled and replaced with “Network North”, a £36bn hastily thrown together hotch potch of transport projects, it was hardly a surprise.HS2, said Sunak. “is a project whose costs have more than doubled, which has been repeatedly delayed and it is not scheduled to reach Manchester for almost two decades… … and for which the economic case has massively weakened with the changes to business travel post Covid.” Much disappointment and derision followed. HS2 will now run only from London to Birmingham, with the Oak Common to Euston link on hold until a private sector backed solution can be found. The industry's reputation for delivery sent once again into the bin.I say again because this is not the first example of politically driven descoping as politicians run out of patience waiting for a ribbon to cut. Think the Channel Tunnel in the 1970s, the Crossrail project in the late 1980s, the Advanced Passenger Train in the 1990s, numerous tram projects in the noughties. Of course many of these projects eventually restarted and reaped benefits beyond expectation..The question is why do they seem to have such troubled births? It warrants deeper discussion. It is therefore my pleasure to welcome Kay Hughes, former HS2 design director and Andy Murray, executive director at the Major Projects Association who have just jointly authored a new report looking specifically at what the major projects sector can learn from this recent HS2 cancellation experience. Resources-MPA report: "Cancellation of major projects: Perspectives on rethinking the approach to major projects inspired from HS2 Phase 2 lessons"-MPA Prestige Lecture 2024: The Politics of Projects: Professor Ben Ansell-HS2 North Cancellation announcement -Network North-How Big Things Get Done
"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower." — Steve Jobs
In this episode, we investigate the staggering costs associated with the UK's HS2 project, specifically focusing on the cancelled Phase 2 and the implications of its financial management. The video highlights the National Audit Office report revealing almost £100 million spent on closing unused sites and £592 million on unnecessary land acquisitions. Compare this with other international projects to discuss why UK's construction costs, including those of Crossrail, are among the highest in the world. We also question the nation's procurement practices and consider the financial accountability of public projects.
The man who ran the three largest transit systems in three continents… Andy Byford a.k.a. ‘Train Daddy's' list of jobs is quite extraordinary. He's been Operations Director of Rail Corp in New South Wales, Australia; CEO of the Toronto Transit Commission; CEO of New York Mass Transit Authority; and of course Commissioner for Transport at Transport for London in the UK. There have been some massive highs – getting Crossrail finished and opening the Elizabeth Line, sorting out the Toronto Transit Commission, which he inherited in a real state and turned it round into North America's best transit authority. But there have been some real challenges as well… not least his final year in New York. In this interview, Andy talks openly and honestly about all stages of his career, right through to his current role where he is responsible for the high speed rail programmes at Amtrak. What really comes across is his passion and determination for getting the basics right, for leading from the front, and for backing his people whatever the role, however large the organisation, and whatever attacks they are facing. It's a truly inspirational story. Green Signals: Website - http://www.greensignals.org YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals Newsletter - http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-list Follow: X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/greensignallers LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltd Instagram - https://instagram.com/greensignallers Credits: Presenters - Nigel Harris (@railnigel on X) & Richard Bowker CBE (@SRichardBowker). General Manager: Stef Foster (@stefatrail)
In recent months, several significant developments have reshaped the UK property landscape, impacting everything from homebuying costs to prime central London prices and investment opportunities along the Crossrail line. This summary delves into the key changes and trends shaping the market, offering insights for prospective buyers, investors, and industry stakeholders.Homebuyers Face Higher Costs with MDR Abolition Starting June 1, the abolition of Multiple Dwellings Relief (MDR) will lead to higher stamp duty taxes for those purchasing homes with annexes or multiple dwellings. This change is expected to significantly impact the housing market, particularly for properties with additional accommodations. House builders, industry bodies, and investment firms have warned that removing MDR could stifle the market for buying and investing in blocks of flats, potentially resulting in 13,000 to 25,000 fewer homes being built. Critics argue that this policy shift will drive up home prices and limit housing options. Despite the potential drawbacks, the Treasury anticipates raising £385 million annually by 2028-29 due to the MDR abolition. Some buyers have rushed to complete transactions before the deadline, aiming to save on tax costs. Mallorca's Proposed Five-Year Residency Rule In Mallorca, a proposed five-year residency rule is causing unrest among UK expats and potential tourists. Aimed at reducing speculative buying and ensuring long-term commitment to the region, this regulation could significantly impact those looking to make Majorca their home. The island has seen recent protests against tourist overcrowding and calls for more affordable housing, highlighting tensions between the tourism industry and local residents. While these measures might reduce tourism revenue and pose challenges for local businesses, they could foster a more sustainable and balanced approach to tourism in the long run. The future of Majorca's travel landscape remains uncertain as these changes are debated. Interest Rates and Economic Outlook With the Bank of England's rate decision on June 20 and the General Election on July 4, the UK's economic outlook is under close scrutiny. Investec Chief Economist Philip Shaw notes that recent economic data does not strongly support a cut in the Bank rate. Despite a drop in Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation to 2.3% in April, services CPI inflation and private sector pay growth indicate persistent inflationary pressures. Updated inflation and wage data will be released before the next Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting. While these figures might be more favorable, they may not fully meet the committee's expectations. The Bank of England, operating independently of the government, is likely to keep the Bank rate at 5.25% in June, with potential rate cuts beginning in August. Investec forecasts that as inflation pressures ease, interest rates will gradually decline. The Bank rate is expected to fall to 4.75% by the end of 2024 and to 3.75% by the end of 2025. Changes in the Bank rate influence various financial market interest rates, notably affecting fixed-term mortgage rates and savings rates.Crossrail Postcodes: A Beacon for Property Investors New research indicates that locations with a Crossrail station have largely been protected from the broader decline in London property prices since Crossrail officially opened. Property consultancy Benham and Reeves analyzed house price growth across postcodes home to each of the 41 Crossrail stations, revealing that these areas have seen an average price increase of 3.3% since the line opened. In contrast, property values in the wider local authoritMaximize your property wealth with London Property. Turn challenges into opportunities. With expert knowledge and reach, we tackle the complexities and inefficiencies of the property market with you.
In today's podcast we talk about fixing the broken model for delivering major infrastructure projects in the UK. Why do we need to fix this model?Well, as we know, Britain needs high performing infrastructure if we are to improve the productivity of our economy and boost living standards for communities.“Yet the model we use to deliver and operate much of this infrastructure is broken. “Too often it produces assets and networks that are expensive, perform poorly and fail to exploit the advances in technology that are transforming other industries. Too often the supply chain that delivers our infrastructure seems locked into a cycle of low margins, low investment and dysfunctional relationships.”Not my word but those of the 2017 Infrastructure Client Group report “From Transactions to Enterprises” which unpacked the challenge.And recent project outcomes bear this out if we consider projects such as Crossrail, Jubilee Line Extension, West Coast Mainline upgrade, Hinkley Point C, HS2 – the list goes on. And there are of course many more examples of smaller infrastructure projects failing to deliver. So back in 2017, following this ICG report, Project 13 was born to tackle the problem - an industry-led response to delivery models that fail not just clients and their suppliers, but also the operators and users of our infrastructure systems and networks.Seven years on and the project is going from strength to strength, with support from the World Economic Forum and the Institution of Civil Engineers plus a rake of influential businesses, people and projects.So to find out a bit more, my guest today is Dale Evans, Chair of the Project 13 Strategy Group and partner at Allora Infrastructure. Dale has been intimately involved in the evolution of Project 13 from his time chairing the ICG and while driving industry change as he led the influential @onealliance for Anglian Water.ResourcesProject 13Infrastructure Client GroupFrom Transactions to EnterprisesProject 13 PillarsTransforming Infrastructure PerformanceThe Construction Playbook
GUEST OVERVIEW: Lord Daniel Moylan is a Conservative peer with extensive experience in London and national politics since the early 1990s. He has held various roles including councillor, deputy chairman of Transport for London, and chairman of Tube Lines Holdings Limited and Crossrail 2 Limited. He is particularly interested in Brexit, international relations, transport, infrastructure, and planning.
"Chalk Beginnings to Geological Frontiers" is a riveting episode that unveils the compelling narrative of Dr. Ursula Lawrence, a renowned technical director of engineering geology with over three decades of pioneering contributions to the field. From her initial fascination with geology, sparked by a simple piece of chalk, to her influential role in major infrastructure projects like HS2 and Crossrail, this episode offers an intimate look into the professional journey of a geotechnical maestro. Episode Breakdown: Introduction to Dr. Ursula Lawrence Overview of her 30+ years in engineering geology. Highlight of her roles in major infrastructure projects, such as HS2 and Crossrail. Early Inspirations The story of how playing with chalk led to a lifelong passion for geology. Reflections on growing up near the London clay outcrop and the discovery of a fossil that sparked her career interest. Educational Journey and Early Career Transition from pure geology to engineering geology. First job experience with Kent County Council Highways Laboratory and the influence of the oil industry downturn on her career path. Significant Projects and Roles Detailed discussion on her involvement in HS2 and Crossrail, including technical challenges and leadership strategies. Insights into the complexities of geotechnical design and risk management. Challenges in Geotechnical Engineering Exploration of specific challenges faced during her career, including managing construction risks and groundwater issues. Strategies for overcoming obstacles in infrastructure projects, illustrated with real-world examples. Mentorship and Leadership The importance of mentorship in her career and advice for young engineers. Discussion on leadership roles and the balance between technical oversight and team development. Future of Engineering Geology Dr. Lawrence's perspective on the evolving field of geotechnical engineering. The importance of innovation, continuous learning, and adaptation to future challenges. Personal Reflections and Advice Dr. Lawrence reflects on her career, the evolution of her interests, and the satisfaction derived from her work. Advice for aspiring geotechnical engineers on staying curious, engaging with the community, and pursuing lifelong learning. Conclusion Recap of key takeaways from Dr. Lawrence's journey and contributions to engineering geology. Invitation for listeners to explore the depths of their own interests in geology and engineering. Closing Remarks: Encouragement for listeners to follow their curiosity and passion in their professional pursuits, inspired by Dr. Ursula Lawrence's story. Subscribe to the show to join our host, Michael Taylor, as he continues to explore the intricacies of running a business in the ground investigation industry, bringing geological experts to share their wisdom, insights, and plans for the future, and shedding light on what they believe will enhance the ground investigation industry moving forward. Don't forget to stay connected by visiting https://girec.co.uk/.
In today's podcast we will delve into the knotty and, it seems, unending challenge of controlling and reducing the cost and the time spent delivering our major infrastructure projects. As we a constantly reminded by politicians, the public and our colleagues, the track record of global major project delivery is not good. I have referenced the findings of Oxford University professor Bent Flyvbjerg's book How Big Things Get Done many times on this podcast before – specifically his findings that globally over the last 30 years, just 8.5% of projects met cost and schedule targets while just 0.5% satisfied all benefit goals.It's a pretty shocking set of findings. And we don't have to look far in the UK to see evidence – I give you HS2, Hinkley Point C, Crossrail, etc etc. But given that the UK government just published its £800bn pipeline of infrastructure aspiration in the face of an increasing public finance black hole, the pressure is growing to turn this around.So what is going wrong? Well my guest today is Ali Mafi, an engineer who has spent a career, largely in the shadows, trying to drive change across the sector. In fact he is currently collaborating with Bent Flyvbjerg and Alex Budzier of the Oxford Saïd Business school under their Oxford Global Projects consultancy to try to bring some new thinking to the sector.And the focus for this work, is the Timist programme, which he founded last year and, as he will explain now I hope, he defines as a next generation project delivery system – a new approach major projects that he reckons could see teams deliver better outcomes in a shorter time and at lower cost than any other systems available. He believes – as the name of his approach suggests – that most problems really stem from our inability to focus on time. As a result projects lose on average 2.5 days per week which means that the output and productivity is half of what it should be. That's the diagnosis – so what's the cure?ResourcesTimist websiteThe Latham Review - Constructing the TeamThe Egan Review - Rethinking Construction Association for Project Management article on ward rounds
In today's podcast we talk about design – specifically the need to embed good design at the heart of infrastructure investment.To help us to unpack and explore this issue my guest today is Harbinder Birdi, architect and founder of the Birdi and Partners practice. Loyal listeners may well remember that Harbinder was a guest on the podcast last April, just after he took on a task for the Institution of Civil Engineers to explore the role of infrastructure design champions – a role set out by the 2020 National Infrastructure Strategy and reinforced by the National Infrastructure Commission which said board-level design champions were crucial to gaining better outcomes from our public investment.So today we can get an update on this work.Last time we spoke we discussed the power of infrastructure to change lives and reflected on projects such as Crossrail, which has delivered infrastructure that delights and improves the lives of the public. Harbinder's view then was very clear – that every infrastructure professional has to do more than simply play lip-service to the notion that good design matters. It has to be a fundamental driver for every investment decision and be linked implicitly to creating the better social, economic and environment outcomes that flow from investment.His design champions work has moved on and culminated with a report called “Defining and developing the design champion role” produced for the ICE in October which, amongst other things, states that the creation of legally responsible design champions across all projects is critical to achieving a step change in infrastructure delivery.So let's find out more as we welcome Harbinder back to the Infrastructure Podcast.Resources Defining and developing the design champion roleNational Infrastructure Strategy 2020National Infrastructure Assessment Design Principle for National Infrastructure ICE - What Makes Good Design paperTransforming Infrastructure Performance - Roadmap to 2030
Much of what we do is living life by default even when life has dished up hard-ships, maybe even trauma. We're going through the motions….but what if we were to shake things up and become curious rebels. Yemi Penn is a global thought-leader on igniting our rebellious curiosity at an individual, team and organisational level. British born, Nigerian, living in Australia Yemi is an Engineer by profession, Entrepreneur by passion. Yemi fuses analytical thinking with creativity to produce superior outcomes. Transformation is the theme across Yemi's focus, whether this is opening a F45 gym in London, a café in Sydney's South-West Suburbs, authoring a book, managing complex projects such as Crossrail and Sydney Metro or producing an impactful documentary. Within this conversation we dive into how we can tap more into curiousity, the invitation to put ourselves in the way of discomfort, and to unlock a rebellious heart. This conversation is a deep one….it's a beautiful one. Soak up the wisdom and invitation shared by Yemi Penn. _________________________________ Host: https://www.instagram.com/alihill/ or https://www.alisonhill.com.au/ Guest: https://yemipenn.com/ Sound Producer: Jason Strozkiy - https://www.strozkiymedia.com/ Talent Producer: Maddy Westbrook - https://thenoblegroup.com.au/
As it emerges from the upheaval of Cross Rail, music historian Peter Watts looks at this densely-packed thoroughfare between Charing Cross Road and Covent Garden, which started off selling sheet music, grew into the place where many writers sold their tunes for a few quid while a wise minority hung on and made fortunes, a street that continues to provide a home for music businesses to this day. Includes.......the Victorian "rookeries" of St Giles...how a coal mining accident made the street's first big hit...the true meaning of the Old Grey Whistle Test...when every office boy played the piano...how the Beatles changed music publishing ...how the Rolling Stones made their first (and best ?) album...how the Sex Pistols and the Stones made their first music yards from each other...what exactly are they doing with Denmark Street today?Buy Denmark Street - London's Street Of Sound here: https://www.paradiseroad.co.uk/denmark-street-londons-street-of-soundTickets for Word In Your Ear live at 21 Soho on Oct 30th here: https://www.tickettext.co.uk/ysY3FvyFaeSubscribe to Word In Your Ear on Patreon for early - and ad-free! - access to all of our content here: https://www.patreon.com/wordinyourear Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As it emerges from the upheaval of Cross Rail, music historian Peter Watts looks at this densely-packed thoroughfare between Charing Cross Road and Covent Garden, which started off selling sheet music, grew into the place where many writers sold their tunes for a few quid while a wise minority hung on and made fortunes, a street that continues to provide a home for music businesses to this day. Includes.......the Victorian "rookeries" of St Giles...how a coal mining accident made the street's first big hit...the true meaning of the Old Grey Whistle Test...when every office boy played the piano...how the Beatles changed music publishing ...how the Rolling Stones made their first (and best ?) album...how the Sex Pistols and the Stones made their first music yards from each other...what exactly are they doing with Denmark Street today?Buy Denmark Street - London's Street Of Sound here: https://www.paradiseroad.co.uk/denmark-street-londons-street-of-soundTickets for Word In Your Ear live at 21 Soho on Oct 30th here: https://www.tickettext.co.uk/ysY3FvyFaeSubscribe to Word In Your Ear on Patreon for early - and ad-free! - access to all of our content here: https://www.patreon.com/wordinyourear Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As it emerges from the upheaval of Cross Rail, music historian Peter Watts looks at this densely-packed thoroughfare between Charing Cross Road and Covent Garden, which started off selling sheet music, grew into the place where many writers sold their tunes for a few quid while a wise minority hung on and made fortunes, a street that continues to provide a home for music businesses to this day. Includes.......the Victorian "rookeries" of St Giles...how a coal mining accident made the street's first big hit...the true meaning of the Old Grey Whistle Test...when every office boy played the piano...how the Beatles changed music publishing ...how the Rolling Stones made their first (and best ?) album...how the Sex Pistols and the Stones made their first music yards from each other...what exactly are they doing with Denmark Street today?Buy Denmark Street - London's Street Of Sound here: https://www.paradiseroad.co.uk/denmark-street-londons-street-of-soundTickets for Word In Your Ear live at 21 Soho on Oct 30th here: https://www.tickettext.co.uk/ysY3FvyFaeSubscribe to Word In Your Ear on Patreon for early - and ad-free! - access to all of our content here: https://www.patreon.com/wordinyourear Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode the boys talk to Sarah Crawley about the barriers to technology adoption on construction projects. Organisations play a really big part in the sense of they need to recognise that they need multiple stakeholders to input their knowledge and there needs to be a movement in capturing data that really matters not to keep other people in jobs or it's a tick box exercise according to Sarah. A senior project manager with varied construction management experience. Sarah specialised in mechanical and electrical healthcare projects, most recently at Mace.Sarah began developing software in 2019, working to build a tool that eliminated WhatsApp, email and paper. Initially working with Google for StartUps, she raised funding in 2022 with some of the largest investors in the built environment including Pi Labs, Nemetshcek, Samaipata and Accel. SymTerra launched in 2022 and is currently operational across over 300 Europe-wide construction, utilities and infrastructure projects for over 125 companies including Thames Water, MTREL, Kier, and Transport for London – from major platform extensions for Crossrail, to maintenance Rail Lines across the country, from a refurbishment of a caravan park in North Wales to a castle in the Scottish Highlands. Sarah was recognised by Construction News in 2023 as one of the top leading women in construction technical excellence. Proudly Sponsored By: InEight.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/project-chatter-podcast/message
Urban populations are growing while climate change means both droughts, as well as sudden intense rainfall events, are on the rise. However, existing urban infrastructure in UK has not caught up with the water management challenges presented by these scenarios. We need to be much smarter about the capture, usage and planned management of water going forward. This is critical to reduce flood risk and to be prepared for periods of drought. In this episode, New Civil Engineer assistant news editor Rob Hakimian is joined by two guests to discuss the topic - Charlotte Markey, who is green urbanisation innovation manager at Polypipe, and John Griffiths, who is national account manager at environmental data management solutions company Kisters.. In conversation with Rob, Charlotte and John outline the opportunities for upgrading existing infrastructure to blue green infrastructure in the UK, explaining examples including tree pits, rain gardens and blue green roof systems. They also explain the growing importance of data collection – particularly using smart sensors. Both Charlotte and John suggest that this data could be an untapped resource that might be better leveraged with a more strategic “joined up” approach on the part of government, utilities providers and other water management stakeholders. They also talk about on their involvement a recent pilot project in Manchester that saw the installation of a climate and water resilience research roof in the heart of the city. The project is helping to drive understanding of how a combination of construction and data technologies can help mitigate the impacts of climate change and urbanisation. It demonstrates how storing and re-using rainwater can reduce the volume of surface run-off impacting important assets such as sewer networks. Charlotte and John compare the approach in the UK to elsewhere globally and consider the implications of not changing the approach to surface water management and the role smart data can play in that. Listen now to hear about how blue green infrastructure and smart rainwater management can play an ongoing role in the UK's climate resilience. The Engineers Collective is proving truly global in reach, with a third of listeners based outside the UK. It is also appealing to an inquisitive, career-builder demographic, with 80% of listeners under 35. Special guests on previous episodes have included Crossrail managing director Mark Wild, HS2 Ltd special advisor Andrew McNaughton and ICE president Ed McCann. All are available for download and all address current and ongoing issues around skills and major project delivery. The Engineers Collective is available via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, A-cast, Stitcher, PodBean and via newcivilengineer.com/podcast The Engineer's Collective is powered by Seequent, the subsurface software specialists. Around the world, teams are using PLAXIS, OpenGround, Leapfrog Works, and GeoStudio to design, build and operate safe, sustainable, and long-lasting infrastructure, from roads to rail, bridges to tunnels, and buildings, dams and levees. Find out more at seequent.com/civil.
In this week's programme – do you ever wonder where all those bunches of flowers in the supermarket come from? David travels to a family business in Armagh which grows and imports flowers for retailers across Ireland and the UK. With a major public transport scheme underway in Belfast, the programme finds out how horticulture was put front and centre during the Crossrail project in London and a visit to a former Abbey near Enniskillen where a secret garden full of usual plants has been nurtured by Noel Crane for the last 4 decades. Brendan Little will join David in studio for live questions. gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk
Auckland's $5.5 billion City Rail Link (CRL) will not open until sometime in 2026 or later, the Herald can reveal. This is at least 18 months longer than what was forecasted only a few months ago when the cost of the project blew out by $1.1b to $5.5b and the completion date moved from late 2024 to November 2025. In an exclusive interview during a tour of the mega-project, City Rail Link chief executive Dr Sean Sweeney said the latest completion date is not when Aucklanders will get to ride the underground railway. He said November 2025 is when City Rail Link Ltd hands over the brand spanking new 3.4-kilometre track from Britomart to Mt Eden to Auckland Transport and KiwiRail, which then have to do extensive testing before it opens to passengers. Sweeney was reluctant to say how long that could be, but when pressed said: “As a ballpark guess, I'd say six months, but people need to understand that numbers could change a lot, based on what happens.” The big issue vexing the minds of Sweeney and the Alliance contractor is moving from the construction of the tunnels and stations to the complex and risky phase of installing bespoke software and signalling work, and plugging a state-of-the-art railway into the existing, fault-ridden network. Three years ago, Sweeney told the Herald there are going to be challenges at the “back end”, and the problem is made worse because a metro rail system has never been built in New Zealand. At the time, he was commenting on the Crossrail line under London that encountered massive and costly overruns after back-end problems just as everyone was doing victory laps - the chairman got a knighthood and later got sacked. Sweeney said Crossrail was a much more complex project and does not envisage similar problems with the CRL, but did acknowledge plugging new plants and equipment into the existing rail network could lead to “unintended consequences”. Full testing of the new systems is expected to begin in mid-2024 and will take about a year, said Sweeney, who is planning to finish the job before the November 2025 date. One of the biggest issues that needs testing, he said, is a fire on a train in the tunnel. After the handover, AT and KiwiRail have to go through another set of tests, which Sweeney said is not straightforward and involves a lot of operational and training exercises. “There are exhaustive tests that they will have to go through, and safety checks, before they are allowed to run passengers,” Sweeney said. For example, every one of the 240 drivers in Auckland will have to go through the tunnels for training. An AT spokeswoman could not say when trains will start running on the CRL, saying it is working with CRL Ltd and the Alliance contractor, Auckland One Rail, the rail safety regular Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency and other stakeholders on a plan to begin as early as possible. The plan involved critical testing of the new systems before trains can operate, including emergency and evacuation protocols, driver training, signalling and other important systems needed to operate the CRL safely. “We will be able to confirm the dates for CRL operations once this programme is complete,” she said. Artist's impression of what the Karanga-a-Hape station will look like once it opens. Photo / Supplied Auckland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Simon Bridges, who was Minister of Transport when work started on the CRL in 2016, said a 2026 opening date is far too long. “While most big infrastructure projects do take longer than is said when they start, a critical mistake here was not continuing during Covid lockdowns, when in hindsight we could have, if anything, picked up the pace in a safe and appropriate way. “That said, when it does open, my pick is that the vast majority of people will forget all the criticism, and Auckland will be in for a pretty golden period given the upgraded transport link, a new convention centre, and hopefully, an upward swing in cyclical economic activity,” said the former MP for Tauranga, who's now a resident of and cheerleader for the Super City. Bridges said the long wait to get to the finish line is little comfort to businesses disrupted - and in some cases, devastated - by the construction works. “But in a wider Auckland sense, it will be exciting when it eventually opens,” he said. Auckland Business Chamber chief executive Simon Bridges and Heart of the City chief executive Viv Beck are disappointed about the time it is taking to build the CRL. Photo / Brett Phibbs Heart of the City chief executive Vic Beck, who has battled tirelessly for businesses impacted by the CRL works, said uncertainty looms large for the project. “It is extremely disappointing for the city that the benefits won't be reaped sooner, and particularly for those impacted by construction. This creates more anxiety because there is no fixed date for it to be operational. For some, that could now be up to 10 years of major disruption and impacts on them and their business,” she said. Beck has called for a review of the $12 million fund set aside for affected businesses to be sped up, saying no one should lose their livelihood for a public project. - Bernard Orsman, NZHSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This podcast focuses on what can be done to help major infrastructure project teams actually deliver the outcomes that are promised – and specifically whether engaging minds early will drive project success .As any casual observer of infrastructure will be aware, the track record of major project delivery is not good. In fact a new book by Oxford University professor Bent Flyvbjerg highlights that globally from his list of 16,000 projects in 136 countries over the last 30 years, just 8.5% met cost and schedule targets while just 0.5% satisfied all benefit goals.OK, I haven't audited his numbers, but they are, on the face of it, a pretty shocking set of findings – findings that seem to bear out and ring true if you consider the UK's recent project outcomes from projects such as Crossrail, Jubilee Line Extension, West Coast Mainline upgrade, Hinkley Point – the list goes on. And there are of course many more examples of smaller infrastructure projects failing to deliver. So what is going wrong? Prof Flyvbjerg highlights many, many reasons from long durations causing scope and budget creep to failure to understand technology and a propensity towards ‘optimism bias' urging professionals down the wrong paths.But primarily his conclusion – and one shared by many others in the industry given the number of industry papers and report on the subject – is poor project initiation or failure in the commissioning stage as the wrong people are left to make the wrong decisions at the wrong moment.So is that true? And if so how do we change it?Well to find out, it is my pleasure to welcome Simon Kirby, managing partner at well-known and respected trouble shooting, project delivery consultancy The Nichols Group to the Infrastructure Podcast. Simon has a several decades of experience wrestling with the challenge of delivering major projects and programmes.ResourcesThe Nichols GroupProf. Bent FlyvbjergMajor Project Association
In this podcast we talk about the challenge of “designing infrastructure for people” – clearly a vital outcome from investment but too often overlooked.In particular, we are going focus on the architectural challenge of the Crossrail project, a multibillion pound scheme which after decades of planning and construction has given London the new Elizabeth Line beneath the capital - in fact providing 100km service linking Heathrow Airport and Reading in the west across to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.Everyone will be familiar with the criticisms of the project and the fact that it was delivered several years late and considerably over budget when it opened in May last year. A lot of lessons will of course be learned.But crucially, anyone that has travelled on the new Elizabeth Line will also appreciate – and in most cases eulogise about – the step change that the new service provides in terms of scale, comfort and sheer user delight from a public transport facility.In short, much of that delight is down to good design – of the trains but more importantly of the stations which are, without exception, designed with the users in mind. In fact, the new underground station beneath the heart of London have been described as modern cathedrals to public transport – expensive and complex to deliver certainly, but now key hubs and drivers for a wholesale uplift in the public realm for decades to come.Behind this success is good design and a clear architectural vision for public need. It is my pleasure therefore, to welcome Harbinder Birdi to the Infrastructure Podcast today, who, as a partner at architectural practice Hawkins Brown, was the architect that, over many years and for many masters, drove and clung onto that vision for Crossrail.ResourcesCrossrail Learning LegacyBirdi and Partners architectsDefining and developing the Design Champion role
In this podcast we are going to talk about “Setting up major projects for success”. When it comes to project delivery, the UK's track record is poor. Too often projects are delivered late, cost more than expected and crucially, they do not always delver the promised outcomes or sufficient value for public investment.To discuss this problem, the many reasons for it and perhaps some solutions, let me introduce my guest today, Michele Dix. Michele is well placed to offer a view, having spent many years spearheading projects for Transport for London, most recently leading plans for the now shelved Crossrail 2 scheme.Today Michele is a director of the Major Projects Association, an Non-exec at Crossrail International, a visiting professor at UCL and an ICE Policy Fellow so very much interested in setting up major projects for success. Resources:The Major Projects AssociationCrossrail 2ICE Fellowship routesMajor Projects Association annual conference highlights - escaping the echo chamberUCL Bartlett School of Planning
One of largest and the most complicated stations in London, Tottenham Court Road is the interchange between the Central and Northern lines of the London Underground, and the Elizabeth line. The station's history is one of constant attempts to keep pace with increasing congestion, culminating in the spectacular reconstruction which commenced in 2009 as part of the Crossrail project. Tottenham Court Road may not have finished expanding yet, with provision made within the station's passageways for access to the future Crossrail 2. Aside from its sheer size, Tottenham Court Road is famous for the intricate mosaics which cover many of the walls, created by Scottish artist Eduardo Paolozzi in the 1980s. Soaring above the station is the Centre Point tower, once highly controversial, and which lent its name to the Centrepoint charity. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @roundelroundpod, or email us at roundelroundpod@gmail.com A full list of references for all the sources used for the episode is available here
Our first south London station, Southfields is on London Underground's District Line - but was for many years operated by British Rail, despite none of their trains ever stopping there. We explore how that came about through classic Victorian railway construction shenanigans; the mainline trains which still use Southfields today; and plans for Crossrail 2 to take over the line. Tennis fans will know Southfields as the closest station to the Wimbledon grounds, so Emily went on a tour to discover their history. We also look at London's oldest mosque and investigate rumours of a legal clause banning pubs in Southfields. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @roundelroundpod, or email us at roundelroundpod@gmail.com A full list of references for all the sources used for the episode is available here
Best known for having the longest escalators on the London Underground (and indeed the whole UK), and a very wide southbound platform - both products of the station's 1990s reconstruction. Angel was the terminus of the City and South London Railway between 1901 and 1907, was upgraded in the 1920s, then entered a long period of decay culminating in the decrepit state beautifully depicted in "Heart of the Angel", the 1989 BBC documentary on the station by Molly Dineen. The 1990s rebuild brought escalators (but sadly not step-free access, lots of red marble and a postmodern office block overhead, which is itself now facing redevelopment. In this episode we also look at plans for Crossrail 2, the disused City Road station to the south (now the Bunhill 2 district heating project), and the unique disused subterranean signal cabin at Weston Street to the north. A full list of references for all sources used for this episode is available here
This week I sit down with Andy Mitchell CBE, CEO of Tideway. Andy was appointed CEO of Tideway in 2014 and was formally appointed to the Tideway Board on Licence Award in 2015. He joined the project from Crossrail where he was Programme Director and a Board member.Kindly sponsored by Liebherr: https://bit.ly/3TmNWHGPresented by Construction Wave: https://constructionwave.co.uk/Follow Katie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiekelleher/
In this episode, Dale is joined by Marco Frisenda and Jo Lucas as guest hosts to speak with Steve Wake and some of the presenters from EVA27 about Project Performance in Turbulent Times! You'll hear from.. Steve Elliot, Experienced consultant and expert adviser in the field of project controls within complex infrastructure programmes and projects; Tony Welch, VP Bids And Programmes Thales; Mark Wild, former CEO Crossrail; Georgie Alderson-Slater, Director GeoVic Ltd; Ajay Patel, Head of Risk TfL; Charlotte Candy, Director of Risk AECOM; ...who provide a wide-ranging collection of thought-leadership in everything from leadership, lessons learned, gamification of risk, training project controls professionals, the future of projects and much much more! EVA is an intimate conference which takes place at the Armourers Hall in London. Nestled in the heart of London the Armourers' Hall is the home of The Armourers & Brasiers' Company. The Company was founded in 1322 as the guild overseeing the production of armour. It now exists primarily for charitable purposes. Proudly sponsored by: InEight.com JustDo.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/project-chatter-podcast/message
Todd is a former Civil and Tunnel Engineer who worked on what was at the time the biggest project in Europe called Crossrail, until his life came crashing down when he needed life changing foot surgery. This caused him to be on crutches for 15 months which he calls the start of his refinement period during which he became overweight, sad and depressed. One day he went to tie his shoes and had to bend over to do it and became short of breath because his belly was too big! It was at that moment that he knew he had to change his life so he turned to exercise and reading books to cope with the depression of seeing his former life being taken away from him in real time. It was during this time that he started to research the origins of man that led him down the rabbit hole of trying to find himself but instead he found The Mother Father God that has been hidden from humanity. This lead him to realize that EVERYTHING that was taught to him in school and about history was a lie including all religious books which keeps man in mental slavery. This caused him to start working on his mind and spirit while simultaneously building his body which led him to be an Online Fitness Trainer who helps spiritually inclined people to burn fat and build muscle with his bespoke training system called Compound Body Training. Follow Todd on Instagram Gift a one-time (or recurring) donation to 13 Questions Podcast: https://13questionspodcast.com/support/ 13 Questions on LiberaPay Ceremonial Grade Cacao from Jonas Ketterle Shungite from Derek Condit Red Light Therapy from Mark Sloan Contact the Podcast: 13questionspodcast@gmail.com Gab Instagram Twitter Discord Telegram LinkedIn Gratitude Jingle by Sir Felix https://sirfelix.bandcamp.com/music Closing Music by Supaman - Why https://supamanhiphop.com/ Website/logo design by blakeArt®: https://gaudetedevelopment.com/
When 42 bodies buried near Liverpool Street Station in London were dug up as part of the works on Crossrail on 12th August, 2015, they were thought to be victims of the Great Plague of 1665. The incident shone a light on the cemetery in which they were buried - a pauper's grave at Bethlem Hospital; the institution more commonly known as ‘Bedlam'. From its establishment in 1247, Bedlam ‘lunatic asylum' quickly gained a reputation as a place that was pioneering - it was the only mental health facility in Britain - and fearsome, a place of stigma and spectacle. The public could pay to tour the facility and have pisspots thrown at them. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly reveal how the abuses perpetrated at Bedlam still have echoes in modern-day surgery; look back at the first formal inspection of the premises; and consider why ‘Bedlam' has become so resonant in literature from Shakespeare to Dickens… CONTENT WARNING: description of unsanitary conditions and patient abuse; reference to out-dated and pejorative language about mental health Further Reading: • ‘London Crossrail Dig At Bedlam Reveals 'Great Plague Victims' Were Buried In Thin Wooden Coffins' (HuffPost UK, 2015): https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/08/12/london-crossrail-excavators-skeletons-great-plague_n_7976488.html • ‘How Bethlem Royal Hospital Became The Notorious Bedlam Asylum' (All Thats Interesting, 2021): https://allthatsinteresting.com/bedlam • ‘Skeletons from Bedlam Hospital site uncovered by Crossrail' (Daily Mail, 2015): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obXO60iOyLM For bonus material and to support the show, visit Patreon.com/Retrospectors We'll be back on Monday! Follow us wherever you get your podcasts: podfollow.com/Retrospectors The Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill. Theme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Sophie King. Copyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2022. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Rob & Rob are back for another round of listener questions! Getting us started this week is Kieran. Kieran is an estate agent in the East London area, and over the past 14 years he's watched the market go from strength to strength. So, when he came into £200,000 in inheritance, he of course wanted to get involved as he knows the area well and has built up a good network. He's recently witnessed the success of the Crossrail plans and the growth it's brought to London with it, and it got him wondering about Crossrail 2. He'd love to know whether he should expand his search to the home counties as the proposed plans for Crossrail 2 could have these areas mimicking the success he's seen first-hand in East London. Next up, we've got a cracking question from Klara. Klara's looking to buy her first investment property, but she wants to know the best way she can bag herself a deal. Should she find a reliable and reputable sourcing company or save herself some pennies and get deal hunting? Tune in to find out what advice Rob & Rob have got for this week's listeners. Do you have a Buy-to-Let or property investment related question for Rob & Rob? You could feature on the next episode by giving us a call on 013 808 00035 and leaving a message with your name and question (normal UK call rates apply). Or if you prefer, click here to leave a recording via your computer instead. The next question on Ask Rob & Rob could be yours. Have you joined us over on the Property Hub Forum yet? Our online community is friendly, informative, and the members are waiting to welcome you with open arms. So, get yourself over and introduce yourself. And if you'd like to find out more information about Portfolio you can do that here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
New book incoming! Yes, you read that right! We are so excited to announce that Rob D is releasing a new book on June 16th! But, if like us, you just can't wait any longer, just sign-up here and we'll send you a preview chapter to get your teeth stuck into. Plus, we've got some special surprises lined up for everyone who purchases the book in its first week, so we'll send you a reminder on the release day, so you don't miss out! It's the June Market Update! Rob & Rob are back with your monthly update and what a busy month it's been! There's almost too much to talk about, but don't worry we've selected the best and most important headlines of the month for this Property Podcast. Macro Economy How do I get the £400 energy grant and the £650 one-off payment? House Prices Michael Gove is right about one thing: building more homes won't solve anything Which housing markets are most exposed to the coming interest-rate storm? Cost-of-living crisis to halt surge in house prices Slowdown ahead for UK housing market Record house prices see 4.3m homes pushed into a higher stamp duty bracket Hometrack UK Cities House Price Index Rents Zoopla Rental Market Report Government to deliver ‘new deal' for renters Sadiq Khan: I am calling on the prime minister to freeze London rents now Mortgages The Nottingham loosens BTL criteria The Mortgage Works reduces limited company BTL rates Other News Will the Crossrail effect give a boost to house prices along the Elizabeth line? Let's get social We'd love to hear what you think of this week's Property Podcast over on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. You might even have a topic you'd like us to cover in the future - if so, pop us a message on social and we'll see what we can do. Make sure you've liked and subscribed to our YouTube channel where we upload new content every week! If that wasn't enough, you can also join our friendly property community on the Property Hub forum. And if you'd like to find out more information about Portfolio you can do that here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, we've already taken you on the first passenger journey on Crossrail, but what else is going on beneath us in the capital?London's new £4.2 billion Thames Tideway Tunnel, or ‘super sewer', is due to open in 2025 to help cope with capital's overflowing waste water.With the existing system, when there's heavy rain, sewage overflows into the River Thames, polluting the water and killing marine life, which happens up to 60 times a year.We take a trip down into one of the 70-metre deep project's cavernous bores, at its Battersea riverside access shaft, to meet project manager Ignacio Tognaccini - and hear some surprising subterranean music.In today's episode we'll also be looking at the challenges of digging through London's damp clay while avoiding hundreds of years of other infrastructure projects, and making sure these huge bores don't collapse in on themselves.Plus we'll look at the top secret stuff below the pavements, where maps show only a grey void and government telephone number.The Leader speaks with Martin Knights, a tunnelling engineer who chairs construction firm London Bridge Associates, about modern digging processes and the challenges of avoided existing, centuries-old buried infrastructure.We also meet infrastructure expert Liz Reynolds, an urban planner for Hackney-based studio called Tapestry and former town planning advisor for Crossrail's central stations.She discusses why it's so tricky to find the best spot to dig and looks at early tunnels, such as the Brunel-built Thames Tunnel linking Wapping to Rotherhithe in the early 1800s. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Come on, let's not be silly any more.Get the full 30+minute show of GOLD at Patreon.com/angelosandbarryshow See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Insiders tell of packed lockdown parties at Downing Street. Laura is back in the studio to tell Adam about her Partygate Panorama scoop. And they're joined by the BBC's Dominic Casciani to chew over the questions facing the PM and the police. Footballer Troy Deeney discusses why he wants the government to diversify the school curriculum. And it's not just a momentous day for Crossrail (which has now officially opened). The notorious Spaghetti Junction turns 50 today! Ed McCann, President of the Institution of Civil Engineers, shares some facts about Britain's most complex interchange. Today's Newscast was made by Tim Walklate, with Chris Flynn, Cordelia Hemming and Miranda Slade. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor was Sam Bonham.
Sean Farrington speaks to the company that made trains for Crossrail to find out how much work went into the multi-billion pound railway project, we also unravel why so many people in the UK are looking to quit their jobs over the next 12 months. Plus, we discuss why Zoom is seeing slow growth despite its pandemic boom.
It was a huge day for improving the ease of travelling through London as the first passenger section of the Elizabeth Line, AKA Crossrail, opened for business.While it wasn't all plain railing - a fire alert sparked the evacuation of Paddington station - there were plenty of enthusiasts from London and beyond eager to try out the £20 billion purple line.By 10am, 130,000 journeys had been clocked and the Standard was there from the very early start.And what about those future fares?Hear expert analysis, the thoughts of passengers travelling on the purple line for the first time on the open stretch from Paddington to Abbey Wood, and make sure you stay tuned until the end to hear Mayor Sadiq Khan discuss the project's handover from previous City Hall incumbent Boris Johnson. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
It's all happening on the tube. As passenger numbers appear to return to normal following the pandemic lockdown, we've now got clarity on how much the new Crossrail will cost us to use… and it looks like it'll be popular with those heading to and from Heathrow. The Evening Standard's revealed fast train travel will cost almost 60 percent less on the new line than on the Heathrow Express. Meanwhile, as a few of you may have noticed, the underground's getting busier again. Research is suggesting it's just about back to what it was before Covid-19.The Evening Standard's City Hall Editor, Ross Lydall, explains everything you need to know. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In custody: Tory MP arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assaultNorthern Ireland Protocol: EU signals it could trigger trade war if UK rips up agreementDavid Trimble: The Northern Ireland Protocol is destroying the Good Friday AgreementDavid Davis: How Boris should take on the EU and fix the Northern Ireland ProtocolUkraine war: Vladimir Putin takes personal control of Russia's faltering Donbas offensiveAnalysis: Hitler's failures on the battlefield show why Brigadier Putin is doomed to failWagatha latest: Jamie Vardy says Wayne Rooney 'talking nonsense''Elizabeth Line please': Queen opens Crossrail and gets Oyster cardPlatinum Jubilee: Travel chaos looms as railways blighted by engineering worksUnder the hammer: Bitter $2bn divorce spawns the most expensive art auction everUnsung hero: The science behind the crisp sandwich – and why it's become a cult classicRead all these articles and stay expertly informed anywhere, anytime with a digital subscription. Start your free one-month trial today to gain unlimited website and app access. Cancel anytime. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/3v8HLez.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Phase 1 of Crossrail or the Elizabeth London Underground line will introduce 10 new stations in central London from Abbey Wood to Paddington. The line is due to open on Tuesday 24 May 2022. With a large infrastructure project of this magnitude there are bound to be business and property development opportunities that can only come to light with a walk of the areas. Hear about the London Netwalking for property development opportunities. Booking link at londonelizabethlinenetwalk.eventbrite.co.uk or visit luxuryrealtorsglobal.eventbrite.co.uk Visit luxuryrealtorsglobal.com/contact to get in touch or if you have any questions. You can also get started with the consultancy solutions including interior design, London property sourcing, staging to sell and internet business growth. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/propertybusiness/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/propertybusiness/support
The EU has proposed some of its toughest measures yet against Russia, including a total ban on oil imports. Adam is joined by Katya and energy expert (and friend of the podcast) Daniel Yergin, to explore how united member states are over the plan. Also… as promised, we preview the local elections in Scotland and Wales with BBC political editors Glenn Campbell and Felicity Evans. And the much-delayed and over-budget Crossrail project will finally open later this month. We speak to a man who has had a sneak preview of the new line, Philip Sherratt, editor of Modern Railways magazine. Today's Newscast was made by Tim Walklate, with Alix Pickles and Cordelia Hemming. The technical producer was Emma Crowe. The assistant editor was Alison Gee.
The long-awaited £19 billion Elizabeth Line will start running through central London later this month.Despite falling years behind schedule and going billions of pounds over budget, Transport for London says Crossrail will add 10 per cent capacity to the capital's travel network.But the newly-opened central section of the line will close on Sundays for several months to allow further testing and upgrades, except for the jubilee bank holiday weekend.Construction of Crossrail began on May 15, 2009, when then Prime Minister Gordon Brown and then mayor Boris Johnson oversaw the start of piling work at Canary Wharf station.To find out more about the significance of TfL's announcement about the opening, we're joined by the Evening Standard's City Hall Editor, Ross Lydall. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
" it'll be hyper-connected, super-connected, ultra-connected"
The concluding part of Theo Delaney's conversation with the journalist, author and QPR fan Christian Wolmar a leading authority on transport and, in particular, railways. As well as goals from the likes of Bobby Zamora and Adel Taarabt, we get his expert views on HS2, Crossrail and driverless cars. @christianwolmar@LifeGoalsTD @theodelaneyhttps://www.christianwolmar.co.ukhttps://www.theodelaney.com/life-goalshttps://www.11-29media.com/life-goals
There's some light at the end of the Crossrail tunnel. London's Transport Commissioner, Andy Byford, has confirmed that the long-delayed Elizabeth Line will open before 30th June 2022. Although, he won't give an exact date just yet.The east-west line, which will link Reading and Heathrow with Shenfield and Abbey Wood via twin tunnels between Paddington and Whitechapel, was initially meant to have opened in December 2018 but has fallen years and billions over budget.The Evening Standard's City Hall Editor, Ross Lydall, explains everything we know so far about the £20 billion line. Today we talk about:The latest Crossrail developments (4:14)Whether the Elizabeth Line will be worth the wait (5:58)The ten new stations (7:19) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Mark Wild is CEO of Crossrail Ltd and has more than 30 years leading complex and critical infrastructure. A chartered electrical engineer he started his career in the electricity sector, but the majority of his experience has been in transportation. He has had a long career in operating and building major transportation infrastructure. He is the former Managing Director of Westinghouse Signals and was the CEO of Public Transport Victoria in Australia. Mark has also been the Managing Director of London Underground. In December 2018 he was appointed CEO of Crossrail which is delivering the Elizabeth line, one of Europe's largest infrastructure projects.Donald Morrison is People & Places Solutions Senior Vice President for Europe and Digital Strategies at Jacobs. He leads over 8,000 people in the delivery of critical buildings, power, transport, water and environment projects, and transport such as Crossrail. Donald started his career in Jacobs' highways business where he initially worked in the development consultancy business for several private sector developers. He rose to Senior Vice President and General Manager for People & Places Solutions Europe after leading the Sustainable Strategies & Solutions business unit for five years and fulfilling several senior Operations and Sales positions. Donald sits on the Jacobs European Inclusion & Diversity Council and was recently awarded Honorary STEM Ambassador by STEM Learning.Russell Pilgrim is People & Places Solutions Program Director for Jacobs' Major Project & Program business. For the past three years he has overseen some of the company's key contribution to Crossrail, the Elizabeth line. In addition, he serves as Jacobs' designated project executive and company board director on our Crossrail Program Partner joint venture called Transcend. Russell has recently been appointed as the Jacobs European functional lead for program delivery sharing best practice on lessons and solutions for clients here in the U.K. and overseas, such as Marinus Australia, Metrolinx Canada and MRT Malaysia. As a voluntary Business Mentor for The Prince's Trust Enterprise Programme, Russell is inspired to work with young people to help turn their innovative ideas into business reality.
In this episode, co-host Anna Nicholls interviews Michael Cassidy CBE - the lawyer, city politician and acclaimed London city maker whose career has had a profound effect on the shape of the City of London and its dominance in financial services globally. Michael ran the local authority for the City of London following the reform of financial markets in 1986. This extraordinary moment known as Big Bang brought with it radical changes in planning and a new vision for London's square mile. Michael shares his memories of this time and his perspective on what makes great cities today, from tackling the climate crisis to crucial investments in infrastructure and arts and culture. Michael has held board positions at British Land and London's brand new railway, Crossrail. He led the initial planning and development of the UK's newest town as Chairman of The Ebbsfleet Development Corporation and is currently Chairman of New London Architecture. Follow City Makers on Instagram @citymakers.podcast Contact us: citymakers.podcast@gmail.com
We've all heard about affordable housing, but what is affordable retail? Charlie and Anthony say that entrepeneurial start ups are creating immense value by creating businesses and organisations that are focussed on affordable retail, leading to fulfilled sustainable communities. Charlie has over 30 years' experience of advising on commercial property investment development and asset management. Clients include owner-managed property companies, international trustees/private offices and prominent UK institutions including charities and livery companies. Charlie's practice particularly covers equity-share investment leases in the City/West End, community developments and capital projects for charities and institutions. Anthony is a Senior Associate in the Planning and Environmental team. Anthony focuses on compulsory purchase order (CPO) and development planning work as well as advising parties affected by major and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects. His clients include private individuals, institutions and companies looking to develop land or those affected by CPO proposals, Development Consent Order (DCO) applications and those affected by the proposed Hybrid Bill for Crossrail.