As with almost every facet of life in 2020, the coronavirus pandemic has brought fundamental change and unprecedented challenge for the South West’s infrastructure sector.
But as the year of Covid-19 comes to an end, what does 2021 hold?
This online discussion event, organised by the South West Infrastructure Partnership (SWIP), will explore the short-term landscape for infrastructure in the region, exploring the economic, political and social factors that are likely to shape the year ahead.
What have we learned in 2020 that can help us do better in the future? What are the specific regional challenges that might require a different approach to the rest of the UK? And above all, how can we make the most of the opportunities to improve the South West’s infrastructure for good?
Topics covered will include:
- Infrastructure lessons in 2020
- Immediate challenges and opportunities for 2021
- Resilience to coronavirus waves and lock down
- Progress towards net zero infrastructure
- The implications of Brexit
- Government funding and investment
Peter Kydd, SWIP Chair, will host a panel of regional influencers from the public and private sector to discuss the key questions on regional infrastructure in 2021.
The panellists are:
- Dave Ellis, CECA SW Chairman and Managing Director, Bridge Civil Engineering
- Paula Hewitt, Lead Director for Economic and Community Infrastructure & Director of Commissioning, Somerset County Council and Vice President of ADEPT
- Freddie Hopkinson, Senior Policy Adviser, Confederation of British Industry (CBI)
- Jo Jolly, Deputy Director – National Environmental Assessment & Sustainability and Programme & Contract Management, Environment Agency
- John Sellgren, Executive Director of Place, Dorset Council