Network Resilience Connected
Welcome and Introductions
Preparing for a different future: how strategic transport is shaping our response to climate change.
Maria Machancoses, Chief Executive of Midlands Connect, proudly opens our event with a speech on the changing priorities of Midlands Connect in response to climate change; now emphasising maintaining existing networks and preparing for climate and other disruptions, moving beyond new infrastructure projects.
Keynote speech ‘Fit for the Future: Strategic planning to adapt the UK’s transport network’ and Q&A
Taznema Khatun, Head of Climate Adaptation Policy, Environment and Adaptation Strategy, Department for Transport highlights the urgency of adapting the UK's transport network to withstand climate impacts like extreme heat and flooding.
Recent events such as rail lines buckling and airport runways melting, demonstrate vulnerabilities that underscore the need for both immediate and resilience and long-term adaptation.
The DfT is developing a climate adaptation strategy and risk assessment tools to guide transport operators, focusing on infrastructure like rail, roads, ports, and airports. Although awaiting ministerial approval, this strategy aims to embed climate risk management into everyday operations.
Panel: “Shared responsibility for climate change.”
Chair: Sarah Spink, Strategic Partnerships Lead, Midlands Connect
Panelists: Dr Matthew Lawrence - Senior Climate Advisor, National Highways
Zach Naylor - Principal Route Engineer, Network Rail
Mark Corbin - Director of Network Resilience, TfWM
This panel discussion explores strategies for improving infrastructure resilience in the Midlands. They discuss how extreme weather impacts service delivery, emphasising the need for localisation adaptation strategies tailored to specific regional challenges.
Key points include aligning national standards with local needs, addressing both the movement of people and goods, and ensuring infrastructure remains sustainable in a changing climate.
The panel called for increased collaboration, policy advocacy, and investment in innovative, resilient models for future infrastructure, with Midlands Connect positioned as a crucial advocate and coordinator in this regional resilience effort.
“The bird’s eye view: looking at the bigger picture of our transport networks in the Midlands” and Q&A
Tawhida Yaacoub, Network Resilience Programme Lead at Midlands Connect, presents a talk on multimodal transport network resilience across the Midlands, focusing on both rail and road infrastructure. She highlights recent disruptions, including flooding and landslips, which highlight the impact of climate change on transport.
Midlands Connect, working with WSP, developed the Midlands Rail and Road Operational Resilience (Mirror) tool, designed to enhance planning for both planned and unplanned disruptions by mapping resilience data across the network. This tool, still in its initial stages, combines data from multiple agencies, with plans to integrate utility data in future iterations.
Panel: “Recovering from severe and sudden shocks - the case for adaptation”
Chair: Sarah Spink, Strategic Partnerships Lead, Midlands Connect
Panelists: Dr Shahad Al-Janabi, Water Process Technical Lead, Severn Trent
Phillipa Slater, Director of Asset Management and Commercial, National Grid
Electricity Distribution
Mike Bull, Midlands Connect, Programme Director
This second panel explored how infrastructure can adapt to unexpected shocks, further emphasising the need for collaboration and long-term planning. These leaders from energy, water, and transport sectors talked out strategies to meet the demands of electrification and decarbonisation, supporting the uses of existing infrastructure like transport hubs, for energy storage.
In spite of budget constraints, transparent planning and open communication across industries were highlighted as essential to synchronise timelines, prioritise effectively, and maximise resources. Ultimately, by breaking down silos and fostering flexibility, sectors can better align their efforts to create sustainable and resilient infrastructure.
Closing remarks
Maria concluded the event by emphasising Midlands Connect's role in fostering resilience and collaboration rather than duplicating efforts.
Key takeaways included the need to integrate resilience into infrastructure investments, particularly with ageing systems and net-zero goals, and addressing skill and funding shortages through strategic partnerships.
Transparency, data sharing and alignment with private investment plans were stressed as essential for efficient planning. Maria affirmed Midlands Connect's commitment to coordinating closely with the Department for Transport and national bodies to ensure the Midlands is ready to meet resilience and adaptation challenges.