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Established in 1972, we are the official publication of the Institution of Civil Engineers, providing daily news, views and insight on the wide world of the built environment, engineering, infrastructure and the future of our planet.
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Digital Magazine: January 2026 | New Civil Engineer
New Civil Engineer Digital Magazine - January 2026
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🚨 NEW ISSUE OUT NOW 🚨
Take a look at January's issue of NCE
Read now: buff.ly/1XbliWs
Featuring:
📌 Interviews with early careers rising stars
📌 Technical remediation of Victorian viaduct in Derbyshire
📌 How the A465 scheme tested the limits of Wales' funding mechanism
Take a look at January's issue of NCE
Read now: buff.ly/1XbliWs
Featuring:
📌 Interviews with early careers rising stars
📌 Technical remediation of Victorian viaduct in Derbyshire
📌 How the A465 scheme tested the limits of Wales' funding mechanism
Another year down and it has brought significant political change in the UK and the USA - though that does not really show up in New Civil Engineer’s top 10 most read news stories of the year.
Take a look: buff.ly/4Kt4VQz
Take a look: buff.ly/4Kt4VQz
NCE’s Top 10 most read News stories of 2025 | New Civil Engineer
While there are some UK Government threads to some of the most-read stories, it mostly seems as though NCE readers prefer to keep politics out of it and
www.newcivilengineer.com
December 23, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Another year down and it has brought significant political change in the UK and the USA - though that does not really show up in New Civil Engineer’s top 10 most read news stories of the year.
Take a look: buff.ly/4Kt4VQz
Take a look: buff.ly/4Kt4VQz
A major upgrade to the A1290 in Sunderland has been completed, with contractor Esh Construction finishing work to convert a 1.55km stretch of road into a dual carriageway
Full story: buff.ly/lhuO0fe
Full story: buff.ly/lhuO0fe
Esh completes £6.7M dualling of A1290 to unlock Sunderland manufacturing park | New Civil Engineer
The £6.7M scheme, delivered in partnership with the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP) LLP, a joint vehicle of South Tyneside and Sunderland
www.newcivilengineer.com
December 23, 2025 at 2:56 PM
A major upgrade to the A1290 in Sunderland has been completed, with contractor Esh Construction finishing work to convert a 1.55km stretch of road into a dual carriageway
Full story: buff.ly/lhuO0fe
Full story: buff.ly/lhuO0fe
Op-ed: AI and digital tools can empower civil engineers, not replace them
✒️ Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) regional director, North East Beth Barnes
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✒️ Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) regional director, North East Beth Barnes
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AI and digital tools can empower civil engineers, not replace them | New Civil Engineer
This message was clear from the 4th ICE/CIWEM Yorkshire and Humber flooding and water quality conference, where leading practitioners explained how AI is
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December 23, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Op-ed: AI and digital tools can empower civil engineers, not replace them
✒️ Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) regional director, North East Beth Barnes
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✒️ Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) regional director, North East Beth Barnes
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A catastrophic breach in the Llangollen Canal near New Mills Lift Bridge, Whitchurch was unforeseen by engineers during regular inspections of the asset
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Engineers seek cause of Whitchurch canal breach after regular inspection showed no warning | New Civil Engineer
A sinkhole, said to be roughly 50m in diameter, opened up in the canal base and wall in the early hours of 22 December. It saw two boats washed into the
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December 23, 2025 at 1:30 PM
A catastrophic breach in the Llangollen Canal near New Mills Lift Bridge, Whitchurch was unforeseen by engineers during regular inspections of the asset
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Over the Christmas and New Year period Network Rail has planned a broad programme of engineering work across England, Wales and Scotland aimed at renewing ageing infrastructure and installing modern signalling
Full story: buff.ly/9hHsnEB
Full story: buff.ly/9hHsnEB
Network Rail at Christmas: The £160M works in full | New Civil Engineer
Major maintenance and upgrade projects are often scheduled for the festive period because train services and passenger numbers are lower, allowing long
www.newcivilengineer.com
December 23, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Over the Christmas and New Year period Network Rail has planned a broad programme of engineering work across England, Wales and Scotland aimed at renewing ageing infrastructure and installing modern signalling
Full story: buff.ly/9hHsnEB
Full story: buff.ly/9hHsnEB
In 2025, NCE interviewed industry experts on several hot topics for the sector and delved into projects across all infrastructure types.
These were our Top 10 most read in-depth stories of the year: buff.ly/0cdb8MY
These were our Top 10 most read in-depth stories of the year: buff.ly/0cdb8MY
NCE’s Top 10 most read In-Depth articles of 2025 | New Civil Engineer
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
www.newcivilengineer.com
December 23, 2025 at 10:39 AM
In 2025, NCE interviewed industry experts on several hot topics for the sector and delved into projects across all infrastructure types.
These were our Top 10 most read in-depth stories of the year: buff.ly/0cdb8MY
These were our Top 10 most read in-depth stories of the year: buff.ly/0cdb8MY
Faced with competing needs to drive productivity and growth while managing decarbonisation and climate change, the sector is always seeking new ideas – and this year’s crop of Graduates and Apprentices of the Year are undaunted by the task
Full story: buff.ly/WmTHdjF
Full story: buff.ly/WmTHdjF
Early careers rising stars discuss balancing productivity push with climate and environmental challenges
The 2025 Graduates and Apprentices of the Year speak on driving productivity and growth while managing decarbonisation and climate change.
www.newcivilengineer.com
December 23, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Faced with competing needs to drive productivity and growth while managing decarbonisation and climate change, the sector is always seeking new ideas – and this year’s crop of Graduates and Apprentices of the Year are undaunted by the task
Full story: buff.ly/WmTHdjF
Full story: buff.ly/WmTHdjF
Northern Gas Networks has issued a tender notice for its East Coast Hydrogen (ECH) Specialist Services Framework, marking a crucial step forward in the North East of England's ambitious transition towards a 100% hydrogen transmission and distribution network
Full story: buff.ly/rZCxkMc
Full story: buff.ly/rZCxkMc
Specialist services providers wanted on East Coast Hydrogen distribution network project | New Civil Engineer
This project, undertaken in collaboration with National Gas Transmission (NGT) and Cadent, aims to facilitate the large-scale decarbonisation of
www.newcivilengineer.com
December 22, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Northern Gas Networks has issued a tender notice for its East Coast Hydrogen (ECH) Specialist Services Framework, marking a crucial step forward in the North East of England's ambitious transition towards a 100% hydrogen transmission and distribution network
Full story: buff.ly/rZCxkMc
Full story: buff.ly/rZCxkMc
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has warned that lineside monitoring equipment used on parts of Britain’s rail network may not always detect slope failures during extreme weather, after a passenger train derailed near Shap in Cumbria on 3 November
Full story: buff.ly/Sl7q46C
Full story: buff.ly/Sl7q46C
Urgent warning issued about lineside monitoring failures in poor weather after Shap incident | New Civil Engineer
In “urgent” safety advice sent to Network Rail, other infrastructure managers and suppliers of monitoring equipment, Raib says duty holders should “take
www.newcivilengineer.com
December 22, 2025 at 3:52 PM
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has warned that lineside monitoring equipment used on parts of Britain’s rail network may not always detect slope failures during extreme weather, after a passenger train derailed near Shap in Cumbria on 3 November
Full story: buff.ly/Sl7q46C
Full story: buff.ly/Sl7q46C
Heathrow Airport has announced £1.3bn of infrastructure projects due to start in 2026 that it says will improve reliability and accessibility for passengers
Full story: buff.ly/HHvRpqO
Full story: buff.ly/HHvRpqO
Heathrow to begin £1.3bn Terminal upgrades and new baggage system work in 2026 | New Civil Engineer
Work will begin on a phased revamp of Terminal 4, including construction of a multi‑storey car park and an upgraded check‑in area. The airport has said
www.newcivilengineer.com
December 22, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Heathrow Airport has announced £1.3bn of infrastructure projects due to start in 2026 that it says will improve reliability and accessibility for passengers
Full story: buff.ly/HHvRpqO
Full story: buff.ly/HHvRpqO
Op-ed: From buzzword to benchmark: Why circularity must be construction’s new KPI
✒️ Holcim UK managing director aggregates and recycling Kaziwe Kaulule
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✒️ Holcim UK managing director aggregates and recycling Kaziwe Kaulule
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From buzzword to benchmark: Why circularity must be construction’s new KPI | New Civil Engineer
For circular indicators to become standardised across the sector, the first step is to consider which metrics are key to track in order to build a
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December 22, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Op-ed: From buzzword to benchmark: Why circularity must be construction’s new KPI
✒️ Holcim UK managing director aggregates and recycling Kaziwe Kaulule
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✒️ Holcim UK managing director aggregates and recycling Kaziwe Kaulule
Read on:
Thames Water has signed a five‑year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with energy generator RWE to buy electricity from a 50MW onshore wind farm in Scotland, the companies have announced
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Thames Water signs 5-year agreement for electricity from Scottish onshore wind | New Civil Engineer
Under the deal, renewable power from the wind farm will supply up to 15% of Thames Water’s electricity needs for essential services across its network in
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December 22, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Thames Water has signed a five‑year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with energy generator RWE to buy electricity from a 50MW onshore wind farm in Scotland, the companies have announced
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Initial outline proposals for Northern Powerhouse Railway (NPR) will be released by the government early in the new year, according to reports
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Full story: buff.ly/Iznh905
Outline Northern Powerhouse Rail plan expected in early 2026 | New Civil Engineer
Reporting in the Financial Times says that people familiar with policy discussions expect that ministers will “set out high-level details” near the start
www.newcivilengineer.com
December 22, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Initial outline proposals for Northern Powerhouse Railway (NPR) will be released by the government early in the new year, according to reports
Full story: buff.ly/Iznh905
Full story: buff.ly/Iznh905
A comprehensive engineering report has identified soil nailing as the most effective long-term method to stabilise a problematic section of Swanage’s seafront, with project costs projected to be at least £4.5M
Full story: buff.ly/iEe8jce
Full story: buff.ly/iEe8jce
Swanage seafront to undergo soil nailing to stop ground movement and slope instability | New Civil Engineer
The area, known locally as the Green Seafront, located along Swanage’s Dorset coast, has been plagued by persistent ground movement and slope instability.
www.newcivilengineer.com
December 22, 2025 at 11:01 AM
A comprehensive engineering report has identified soil nailing as the most effective long-term method to stabilise a problematic section of Swanage’s seafront, with project costs projected to be at least £4.5M
Full story: buff.ly/iEe8jce
Full story: buff.ly/iEe8jce
Engineers Against Poverty chair Richard Threlfall is clear about the civils sector’s role in healing global infrastructure’s afflictions, from reducing emissions to reigning in costs
Full interview: buff.ly/Y2fcs61
Full interview: buff.ly/Y2fcs61
Engineers Against Poverty chair on effective infrastructure governance
A conversation with the chair of Engineers Against Poverty on how governance transparency is central to infrastructure delivery.
www.newcivilengineer.com
December 22, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Engineers Against Poverty chair Richard Threlfall is clear about the civils sector’s role in healing global infrastructure’s afflictions, from reducing emissions to reigning in costs
Full interview: buff.ly/Y2fcs61
Full interview: buff.ly/Y2fcs61
The Planning and Infrastructure Act has become law after receiving Royal Assent, bringing a wide-ranging package of changes designed to speed up housing and major infrastructure projects across the UK
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‘An important step’: Planning and Infrastructure Act becomes law | New Civil Engineer
Ministers say the legislation will remove delays they regard as blocking the planning system, accelerating the delivery of homes, roads, rail, reservoirs,
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December 21, 2025 at 5:15 PM
The Planning and Infrastructure Act has become law after receiving Royal Assent, bringing a wide-ranging package of changes designed to speed up housing and major infrastructure projects across the UK
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Moray Council has confirmed scour “appears to be” the principal cause of the collapse of the Garmouth Viaduct over the River Spey on 14 December, with officials highlighting as an abrupt change to the river’s flow that likely undermined the structure’s piers
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Council confirms scour as cause of Spey viaduct collapse after ‘river flow path changed’ | New Civil Engineer
Council engineers carried out an initial inspection of the 19th‑century wrought‑iron viaduct and concluded that erosion of the riverbed around the bridge
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December 21, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Moray Council has confirmed scour “appears to be” the principal cause of the collapse of the Garmouth Viaduct over the River Spey on 14 December, with officials highlighting as an abrupt change to the river’s flow that likely undermined the structure’s piers
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Lower Thames Crossing has confirmed the appointment of a Department for Transport director as senior responsible owner (SRO) for the scheme, outlining a revised completion date of 2034
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Lower Thames Crossing completion now 2034 as new senior civil servant champion appointed | New Civil Engineer
DfT director of strategic roads and local projects Kate Cohen has been appointed the project’s SRO, a key leadership position in project delivery within
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December 21, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Lower Thames Crossing has confirmed the appointment of a Department for Transport director as senior responsible owner (SRO) for the scheme, outlining a revised completion date of 2034
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With the construction of a project as big as Lower Thames Crossing, serious people power will be needed to get the job done. NCE learns about the importance of giving the next generation of local workers the skills they need to be involved
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How Lower Thames Crossing is boosting local workers’ skills to aid project delivery
The importance of giving the next generation the skills they need to be involved in the construction of Lower Thames Crossing.
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December 21, 2025 at 11:15 AM
With the construction of a project as big as Lower Thames Crossing, serious people power will be needed to get the job done. NCE learns about the importance of giving the next generation of local workers the skills they need to be involved
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Full story:
The UK’s civil engineering market for public roads and railways is trapped in a damaging cycle that is hindering economic growth and productivity, according to a Competition and Markets Authority report
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UK road and rail civil engineering sector caught in ‘negative cycle’, warns competition watchdog | New Civil Engineer
The competition watchdog’s interim findings highlight persistent problems including uncertain funding, risk-averse procurement practices and regulatory
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December 21, 2025 at 9:30 AM
The UK’s civil engineering market for public roads and railways is trapped in a damaging cycle that is hindering economic growth and productivity, according to a Competition and Markets Authority report
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A joint venture between Laing O’Rourke and AECOM has secured the delivery partnership for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games venues infrastructure program, valued at A$7.1bn (£3.5bn)
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Laing Aecom JV wins delivery partner contract for £3.5bn Brisbane 2032 Olympic venues | New Civil Engineer
The Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA) has appointed the two firms as its delivery partner under the JV’s Unite32 brand,
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December 20, 2025 at 5:15 PM
A joint venture between Laing O’Rourke and AECOM has secured the delivery partnership for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games venues infrastructure program, valued at A$7.1bn (£3.5bn)
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Work to strengthen and upgrade the Grade-II listed Chapel Milton viaduct serving four major quarries in Derbyshire involved careful planning to minimise the impact on users and amendment to the geopolymer specification to cut cost
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Voids on piers demand unique solutions for Victorian railway viaduct upgrade
Work to strengthen and upgrade a Grade-II listed Victorian viaduct involved careful planning to minimise the impact on users.
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December 20, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Work to strengthen and upgrade the Grade-II listed Chapel Milton viaduct serving four major quarries in Derbyshire involved careful planning to minimise the impact on users and amendment to the geopolymer specification to cut cost
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Full story:
Arup spent almost £20M on making redundancies and reported a small decline in operating profit for the year to 31 March 2025 as it reshapes its business to focus on higher‑growth sectors
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Arup spent £20M on redundancies amid marginal fall in profit over last financial year | New Civil Engineer
‘Headcount reduction costs’ During the 2024-25 financial year, Arup recorded an operating profit of £58.5M, equivalent to 2.71% before profit‑share
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December 20, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Arup spent almost £20M on making redundancies and reported a small decline in operating profit for the year to 31 March 2025 as it reshapes its business to focus on higher‑growth sectors
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Engineers working on the HS2 project have slid a 4,600t viaduct section across the M6 without a full carriageway closure, in what contractors say is a UK first that will reduce disruption for drivers
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HS2 completes final slide of 4,600t viaduct across M6 without closing motorway | New Civil Engineer
The 17‑hour operation carried out over the weekend of 13-14 December completed the three‑stage assembly and installation of the 315m long East deck of the
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December 20, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Engineers working on the HS2 project have slid a 4,600t viaduct section across the M6 without a full carriageway closure, in what contractors say is a UK first that will reduce disruption for drivers
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Completion of the final stage of the A465 Heads of the Valleys upgrade has stirred controversy about the viability of the scheme’s funding model
We spoke to FCC Construcción to hear all about it
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We spoke to FCC Construcción to hear all about it
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How the A465 dualling scheme tested the limits of Wales’ new funding model
Completion of the A465 Heads of the Valleys upgrade has stirred controversy about the viability of the scheme’s funding model.
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December 20, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Completion of the final stage of the A465 Heads of the Valleys upgrade has stirred controversy about the viability of the scheme’s funding model
We spoke to FCC Construcción to hear all about it
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We spoke to FCC Construcción to hear all about it
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