The latest episode of the Engineers Collective is out now: listen in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, your usual platform or the player below.

Joining host Rob Hakimian this month is ICE Fellow and member of the Panel for Historic Engineering William Day, who provides a fascinating history lesson on the Menai Suspension Bridge.

The iconic bridge, which crosses the Menai strait between mainland Wales and the Isle of Anglesey, just celebrated the 200th anniversary of its opening on 30 January 1826. William tells the podcast about the landmark’s history: its design by Thomas Telford, the dimensions of its various elements and how workers overcame difficulties to complete its construction between 1819 and 1826.

The discussion then moves on to the various modifications it has had in the two centuries since its opening that have kept it in operation today. William also relays some of his own experiences working on those maintenance regimes and the feeling of renewing such a historic structure.

Prior to the interview portion, Rob is joined by NCE senior reporter Thomas Johnson to discuss recent developments in the UK’s rail network including the resurrection of Northern Powerhouse Rail, ongoing developments with the Railways Bill and more.

This month we welcome Anglian Water’s delivery director for water Paul Lonsdale to discuss the pioneering work of the @one Alliance.

Formed of eight partner organisations – Anglian Water, Balfour Beatty, Barhale, Binnies, Mott MacDonald Bentley, MWH Treatment, Skanska and Sweco – the alliance has been running for 20 years and has set a template for collaboration and efficiency in major project delivery in the sector.

Lonsdale tells us how the amalgamation of so many organisations works in practice and what benefits come from having a range of expertise involved. We also discuss Anglian Water’s other alliances and why alliancing has become prevalent in the water sector.

In the introductory section, host Rob Hakimian is joined by senior reporter Thomas Johnson to discuss some recent site visits they have been on including to 3D printing facilities and National Grid’s new Tilbury to Gravesend power tunnel.

In this month’s episode we welcome the CEO of Projectworks, Mark Orttung, to discuss how his company’s software is facilitating growth among the construction and engineering sector’s vital small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

We start by learning from Mark about why Projectworks’ offerings are particularly suited to SMEs and how it can help to provide them with insights and analysis that can help to guide them from strength to strength. We learn that, in turn, this simplifies these businesses’ market processes and enables them to spend time more effectively on their projects.

Our discussion then widens out to discuss how this technology is already having an impact in Australasia and America before taking a global sector view on how capacity can be improved across the board through the kinds of outputs that Projectworks provides.

Prior to the interview portion, host Rob Hakimian is joined by NCE senior reporters Tom Pashby and Thomas Johnson to discuss the latest developments with the geological disposal facility and arguments over Welsh rail funding.