Initiatives, links, industry trends
During my tenure, several other initiatives were implemented to engage with tunnellers. An annual group from the United States visits Europe, exploring various tunnelling projects in different countries. When they visited the UK, as BTS Chair I was invited to attend their dinner, where I delivered a speech focused on microtunnelling and promoting involvement in this aspect of work. I anticipate that this level of microtunnelling will
become more frequent in the coming years, particularly in the UK, where major projects such as HS2, Tideway, Crossrail, and Hinkley Point will be complete or nearing completion, coinciding with a substantial increase in workload for water authorities commencing in the new AMP8 in April 2025. Every five years, the UK water authorities undergo
a process with OFWAT, which establishes new procedures and objectives to be achieved. This process outlines projects that need to be undertaken, including improvements in discharge quality and the renewal of aging assets. Overall, the workload and expenditure are projected to rise substantially. The April 2025 date marks the commencement of these changes. The water authorities spend profile is projected to nearly double, and some of this expenditure will involve tunnelling projects, which are anticipated to be beneficial. I believe that a significant portion of this will include smaller- diameter tunnelling as part of the solutions. Large-diameter projects will still be undertaken, such
Top left: Rod Young is a champion for micro-tunnelling
Top right: Rod’s BTS Chair gift to ICE - painting ‘Mucking Out Intake Tunnels East Yelland Power Station’ 1953
Centre: Speaking at the BTS Annual Dinner 2024 CREDIT: BTS/MATT CHUNG Above: BTS Chair - passing on the baton to John Corcoran in 2024
12 | February 2025
as in the energy sector where Coire Glas, a substantial 1,300MW hydropower project in the Great Glen of the Highlands, and, Sizewell C nuclear station are expected to begin major construction in the near future. As noted, a central focus has been for the BTS to
foster connections with other organisations. This involves increasing interactions with individuals across the industry, particularly as Chair, which presents more opportunities for engagement compared to
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