New Civil Engineer

Data is the lifeblood of innovation and development in today’s digital economy, and technology is the enabler. Colin Henderson is chief software engineer at AtkinsRéalis Whether it’s building smarter cities, improving public services, or accelerating infrastructure projects, the ability to share data is integral to progress and efficiency.

In 2025, NCE interviewed industry experts on several hot topics for the sector and delved into projects across all infrastructure types. A total of 253 experts shared their views and insights with our writers who put together the In-Depth articles that were featured in the print editions as well as online. Which of these articles caught the online readers attention the most? 1.

Updated planning guidance on flood risk and coastal change highlights some of the challenges faced when considering SuDS for new schemes. In part one of a three-part series, Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS) UK manager Stuart Crisp sets the scene by summarising the new guidance, its implications and ambiguities. Stuart Crisp is UK manager at Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS) On 17 September 2025, the government issued updated guidance on managing flood and coastal change within the planning system.

Work to strengthen and upgrade a Grade-II listed Victorian viaduct serving four major quarries in Derbyshire involved careful planning to minimise the impact on users and amendment to the geopolymer specification to cut costs. Chapel Milton is one of Britain’s great Victorian railway viaducts, built in 1867 by the Midland Railway to carry express passenger trains between London and Manchester and joined by a second viaduct two decades later to take trains towards Sheffield.

What do early career professionals identify as their main challenges and what support can companies and more senior team members offer? The transition from school or university to a construction site or an office can be quite daunting for early career professionals. Apart from finding themselves having to learn and apply new skills, many struggle with a lack of confidence until they adjust to their new environment.

The unions Unite and GMB have condemned the treatment of workers at the construction site of a hydrogen gigafactory in Royston, Hertfordshire after a group were suspended for raising alarm about their health and safety. The unions said that 30 workers have been suspended from their roles on Johnson Matthey’s construction site after speaking out about dangerous conditions.

New Civil Engineer’s founder and first ever editor Sydney Lenssen was in Australia during summer 1973 when the UK Government called him home to help keep the public calm. Lenssen, who died on 4 December 2025 aged 87, was already known as an erudite campaigning journalist when the Department of the Environment (DoE) enhanced his standing still further.

Ed Miliband has announced the government will produce an implementation plan for the recommendations that have arisen from Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce’s recent review within three months. Released in November, the report, authored by John Fingleton and the taskforce, discussed how the UK has become the “most expensive” nation in the world to construct new nuclear projects and an overhaul to planning was needed to remedy this.

Full list of award winners: Projects Best Use of Technology: Artificial Intelligence – BuildPrompt, AI to automate digital handover Best Use of Technology: Carbon Reduction in Design – Mott MacDonald, Moata Carbon Portal: scaling decarbonisation across the grid Best Use of Technology: Carbon Reduction in Construction and Management – Cardiff Metropolitan University, Halve the Half: The sector-wide opportunity for cost and carbon reduction Best Use of Technology: Design Efficiency – M Group,...

In a climate of constrained budgets and efficiency pressures, the supply chain acknowledges that a client’s approach and input are pivotal for achieving positive business and project outcomes. “We had a significant amount of work with a client who we stepped away from, which meant that we removed some work from our order book. The client was finding it difficult to procure the work in a sustainable way and budgets were a challenge.