Peter Kydd is a former senior consultant at Parsons Brinckerhoff (now WSP), and former Chair of SWIP.
When SWIP was formed back in 2017, we knew that a single cohesive voice representing the South West infrastructure community was needed. Our focus was to reflect what communities required as the UK transitions to net zero and to ensure that the South West wasn’t left behind when it comes to prioritising infrastructure. The South West is particularly vulnerable to disruption, whether it be from Atlantic storms or the surge of summer tourists but it also has some of the best natural energy resources in the UK. Embracing the transition to net zero was our first priority but with 80% of our current infrastructure being still in use in 30 years time, adaptation to manage the adverse impacts of global warming also became a top priority, coupled with improving the resilience and performance of our regional infrastructure. SWIP has succeeded in bringing together senior infrastructure leaders across the region to break down sector silo’s, and share experiences – good and bad. In my time as Chair, it was particularly gratifying to see so many infrastructure professionals, not just engineers, engage with SWIP and contribute to SWIP’s vision of maximising the opportunities that exist in the South West, from energy generation and electrification, transport integration, delivering net zero, embracing nature based and adaptation solutions, and making the most of our natural resources.