BTS & BTSYM | CHAIRS’ CORNER


healthy calendar. November’s talk is on carbon


management for the Copenhagen metro; and December’s is to hear from Colin Eddie and Henry Pairaudeau on innovations for ‘Slipform Tunnelling’. Safe management of our works is never far from


our minds, and rightly so. There is a strong group now lined up for the five-year review of BS6164. Our industry continues to change and develop, and we need our best experts to lead and guide us. The group is chaired by Andy Levett. On 18-19 November is our annual H&S course


with many renowned industry figures sharing their knowledge and experience. My thanks to Arup and their design tunnel manager Jung Hyuk-Il for supporting this event and providing use of their excellent conference facilities. The date for our next BTS Conference is 6-7 October


2026, in London.


Under the drive of co-opted committee member Dan


Garbutt, we are considering putting a bid together to hold the World Tunnelling Conference (WTC) in the UK. A quick shout out to Martin John from BTMI (publisher


of T&TI), who helps manage the BTS LinkedIn account. We now have over 15,000 followers. It was 1400 when he took over, so a massive improvement. I visited John Scholey recently, in Tunbridge Wells.


Sadly, despite extensive and intensive chemotherapy for Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, there has been no success. John and Liz have decided to stop this intense treatment. He is currently at home, still able to partake in conversations. It was only a couple of years ago that we celebrated John’s 25th Anniversary of organising our Annual Dinner. John and Liz are both frequently in my thoughts and prayers. However, the show goes on, a phrase which I know


John and his theatrical background would appreciate. The Brewery has been booked for our next Dinner on Friday, 8 May 2026. Paul Perry will shortly send out a questionnaire on a


potential BTS course for site managers, titled ‘Leadership & Management in Tunnelling’. This recognises a potential need to provide support to those in the front line, on what can be an incredibly demanding role. A note on costs. Fees charged by the ICE, acting as


administrator of One Great George Street (OGGS), have increased. It was felt by the BTS Committee that the prestige of the ICE’s Telford Theatre (for evening lectures) was worth paying the additional cost for, but to relocate the H&S course to another venue, with industry support. We have invited Mark Hansford, the ICE’s Director


of Engineering Knowledge, to November’s Committee meeting. I look forward to a productive discussion to understand the ICE’s viewpoint of the BTS, one of 14 Specialist Knowledge Societies (SKS’s). Richard Sutherden continues to do a great job


chairing our Net Zero Group, made up of client, designer, contractors, and suppliers. The group aim to provide guidance to our industry. On 25 November, the ICE is organising a ‘carbon


showcase’ lecture in which the BTS will be involved: Dr Keith Bowers and Neil Phillips from Lower Thames Crossing are to give presentations. Steve Parker has taken over the Education


Subcommittee from Kate Cooksey. Top of Steve’s agenda is to get the Warwick University MSc course in tunnelling re-established. We need support from UK employers. Many previous Warwick students are becoming leading lights in our industry. I am looking forward to the visit of Alice Chow,


Top: Attendees at the Design and Construction Course Centre: Evening volleyball sessions


Bottom: Book presentation to Katherine McAlpine, Brunel Museum director. Left to right: John Corcoran, Ken Spiby, Katherine McAlpine, Sarah Langley, Mike McConnell and Richard Davies


38 | November 2025


the President of Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, on 4-5 November, including a cocktail reception and International Conference. I would like to thank Tom McGowan for his great


energy and work on both the BTSYM and the BTS. Tom is moving back to Canada. I wish him every success. It is too early to wish you all well for the Festive


Season, so I’ll save that for our December evening presentation.


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