11 episodes

Beyond Brunel, the podcast from South West Infrastructure Partnership (SWIP) and ICE South West, is back with the launch of its highly anticipated Season 2. Dedicated to exploring the challenges and innovations in creating and maintaining sustainable infrastructure, the podcast promises a deep dive into the pressing issues facing the South West as it strives to achieve its net zero targets by 2050.

In Season 2, host Christopher Ackland, civil engineer and Vice Chair of the ICE South West Regional Committee, covers a myriad topics with prominent industry leaders, sparking discussions that are essential for shaping the region's sustainable future.

Season 2 aims to continue its legacy of insightful conversations and reach more interested and impacted listeners.

Famous engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel once shaped the South West, creating some of the region’s most iconic and enduring infrastructure. But the podcast asks what kind of infrastructure innovation does the region need today to respond to the climate crisis, demographic changes and new social behaviours?

Beyond Brunel explores the role of infrastructure and civil engineering in the South West’s ongoing journey to decarbonisation, while also improving people’s lives, helping the region become more productive and protecting the environment.

Commissioned and devised by South West Infrastructure Partnership (SWIP) supported by ICE South West.

From Series 1: You can download free case studies companion to the series here:

Vision: https://southwestinfrastructurepartnership.co.uk/2023/02/01/south-west-vision-2050/

Case Studies: https://southwestinfrastructurepartnership.co.uk/2023/02/01/innovation-productivity-case-studies/

Series 1 accompanied the South West Vision 2050 report, which uses the podcast conversations as a basis for examining what the region needs to do to achieve an effective, forward-facing infrastructure system.

Produced by Fresh Air Studios

Beyond Brunel - from the South West Infrastructure Partnership (SWIP‪)‬ SWIP, ICE South West, Fresh Air Studios

    • Business
    • 5.0 • 7 Ratings

Beyond Brunel, the podcast from South West Infrastructure Partnership (SWIP) and ICE South West, is back with the launch of its highly anticipated Season 2. Dedicated to exploring the challenges and innovations in creating and maintaining sustainable infrastructure, the podcast promises a deep dive into the pressing issues facing the South West as it strives to achieve its net zero targets by 2050.

In Season 2, host Christopher Ackland, civil engineer and Vice Chair of the ICE South West Regional Committee, covers a myriad topics with prominent industry leaders, sparking discussions that are essential for shaping the region's sustainable future.

Season 2 aims to continue its legacy of insightful conversations and reach more interested and impacted listeners.

Famous engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel once shaped the South West, creating some of the region’s most iconic and enduring infrastructure. But the podcast asks what kind of infrastructure innovation does the region need today to respond to the climate crisis, demographic changes and new social behaviours?

Beyond Brunel explores the role of infrastructure and civil engineering in the South West’s ongoing journey to decarbonisation, while also improving people’s lives, helping the region become more productive and protecting the environment.

Commissioned and devised by South West Infrastructure Partnership (SWIP) supported by ICE South West.

From Series 1: You can download free case studies companion to the series here:

Vision: https://southwestinfrastructurepartnership.co.uk/2023/02/01/south-west-vision-2050/

Case Studies: https://southwestinfrastructurepartnership.co.uk/2023/02/01/innovation-productivity-case-studies/

Series 1 accompanied the South West Vision 2050 report, which uses the podcast conversations as a basis for examining what the region needs to do to achieve an effective, forward-facing infrastructure system.

Produced by Fresh Air Studios

    Can infrastructure help the South West end inequality?

    Can infrastructure help the South West end inequality?

    In S2 Episode 6 of the Beyond Brunel podcast, presenter Chris Ackland poses this challenging question to Peter Radford, Associate Director at Turner & Townsend Infrastructure, and Alicia de Haldevang, Sustainability and Inequalities Consultant at Stantec. 
    Topics they discuss include the role of infrastructure in addressing inequalities, how to measure the impact of infrastructure on areas such as poverty, and whether it’s possible to deliver infrastructure that is both sustainable and equitable. 
    From the South West Infrastructure Partnership, supported by ICE South West.
    Produced by Fresh Air Studios Studios, Plymouth.

    • 32 min
    Does the South West need a rethink on roads?

    Does the South West need a rethink on roads?

    The South West has 620 miles of motorway and strategic A-roads as well as one of the largest networks in the UK of local roads, many of which are vital to small, rural communities. In this podcast, Christopher Ackland is joined by Richard Stevens, Managing Director, Plymouth CityBus (Go South West), and Jason Humm, Director of Transport and Highways, Gloucestershire County Council, to discuss the challenges of highway maintenance, improving resilience of the roads in the face of more extreme weather events and equipping the network for a more sustainable future.   
    From the South West Infrastructure Partnership, supported by ICE South West.
    Produced by Fresh Air Studios, the Podcast Production Company. www.freshairstudios.co.uk 

    • 32 min
    Can infrastructure really be positive for nature in the South West?

    Can infrastructure really be positive for nature in the South West?

    In this podcast, Christopher Ackland is joined by Martin Rule, Lead Adviser, Nature Based Solutions, Environment Agency and Ed Whitelaw, Director of Nature & Neighbourhoods at Real Ideas Organisation to discuss the concept of nature-based solutions and how infrastructure can have a positive impact on nature in the South West.
    They explore the idea of working with nature rather than against it and highlight examples of projects that benefit both nature and communities.
    From the South West Infrastructure Partnership, supported by ICE South West.
    Produced by Fresh Air Studios, Plymouth. 

    • 34 min
    Shaping the Future of Southwest Infrastructure

    Shaping the Future of Southwest Infrastructure

    Christopher Ackland is joined by Katie Farrell, Assistant Planner, KierBAM JV, based at Devonport Dockyard in Plymouth and Lou Dawson-Thomas, Head of Apprenticeship Services, AccXel Construction School in Gloucestershire, to discuss how we can engage with young people in the South West and encourage them to choose careers in infrastructure industries. He also asks young engineers and apprentices what infrastructure means to them and how young people can have a bigger voice in shaping the region’s infrastructure.
    From the South West Infrastructure Partnership, supported by ICE South West. 
    Produced by Fresh Air Studios, Audio and Video Podcast Studios in Devon.

    • 31 min
    Ports and Flow

    Ports and Flow

    Are South West ports ready for floating offshore wind?
    That’s the important question posed in Season 2 Episode 2 of the Beyond Brunel podcast. Captain Richard Allan, Chief Executive and Harbour Master, Port of Plymouth and member of the South West Regional Ports Association, and Matt Hodson, Chief Operations Officer, Celtic Sea Power (based in Cornwall) join Chris Ackland to discuss the readiness of South West ports for floating offshore wind.
    Among the topics they cover, they talk about the considerable challenges but also the South West’s potential to become a leader in the industry. They highlight the need for collaboration and for capital investment and coordinated policy action to support the development of infrastructure and ensure its success. 
    From the South West Infrastructure Partnership, supported by ICE South West.
    Produced by Fresh Air Studios, Plymouth.

    • 30 min
    Water

    Water

    Episode 1 of Season 2 features Matt Wheeldon, Director of Infrastructure Development, Wessex Water, and Dave Turner, Coastal Engineer, Moffat & Nicholl, who discuss how the South West can deal with extreme weather outcomes like drought and flooding, avoid environmental issues caused by storm overflows and create more sustainable, nature-based solutions such as rain gardens and green streets. They explore the need for coordinated efforts across various sectors and organisations and how that can be achieved.
    Beyond Brunel Season 2 can be streamed or downloaded on popular platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify. If you missed Season 1, it's still available and offers a wealth of valuable insights into the region's infrastructure challenges and solutions.
    From the South West Infrastructure Partnership, supported by ICE South West.
    Produced by Fresh Air Studios, Studios for Content Creators in Devon.
     

    • 34 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
7 Ratings

7 Ratings

o2 not likely ,

Excellent podcasts

What a great way to share information using technology. It’s great to be able to listen to these topics when you get a quiet moment, or while waiting for flights or trains. Thanks for all the contributors and to Chris for leading this initiative.

RadioGaGaaa ,

Informed, though-provoking

Packed with interesting examples and opinions from guests who really know their stuff. You will definitely come across something that makes you think!

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