SYSTRA secures two wins at Institution of Civil Engineers Awards 

SYSTRA secures two wins at Institution of Civil Engineers Awards 

Consultancy colleagues were presented with the Sir John Fowler Award for our research alongside Sheffield City Council on championing ED&I in active travel across the city. By engaging with ‘seldom heard’ groups across the community, our team gained an insight into the potential barriers for those who don’t normally engage with forms of active travel.

Having gathered data from over 1000 participants, the research will serve as evidence for future cycling and walking developments throughout the city.

As the TRU East Alliance’s principal designer, we’re also proud to share that the Osmondthorpe Lane bridge replacement won the Smeaton Award. Judges were impressed by the project’s approach to sustainability and community engagement, commenting on the impressive measures taken to minimise carbon.  

Peter Edwards, Associate, commented on his team’s accomplishments on the Sheffield active travel research: 

“We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded the John Fowler Award at the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) Yorkshire and Humber awards for our work for Sheffield City Council to improve the diversity of their community engagement in relation to walking and cycling in the city. 

“Our innovative research and engagement approach was recognised by the judges as having a community focus and ensuring those who might not ordinarily engage on active travel engagement had their voices heard.  The research has been used to underpin the development of the upcoming walking and cycling investment plan in Sheffield.” 

SYSTRA celebrates cross-group collaboration with International Production Month

Throughout February, we celebrated all aspects of International Production from onshoring and offshoring to best practice when working globally.

Asked about how International Production Month came to be, Ludwig Cueff, International Delivery Director, said it was a chance to showcase skills and explore pathways to growth – both in careers and in the wider business. “We have decided to launch this for the first time to promote the culture of international production and to communicate its benefits to the UK and Ireland business,” he said.

“We have very strong foundations, and we will continue to build a bright future in international production.”

Offshoring at SYSTRA 

When delivering projects across the UK and Ireland, we make the most of our group expertise by working closely with colleagues in other countries. We spoke to our colleagues about their experiences when collaborating with internal teams as well as stakeholders and partners.

When asked about the key benefits of collaborating with teams in Brazil and Poland on the Transpennine Route Upgrade, Sam O’Sullivan, Engineer (Bridges), said: “The major benefit is being able to deliver a higher volume of work, across multiple business centres. Having access to multiple offshore resources enables knowledge sharing, such as best practice design methods and previous successful examples.”

Onshoring at SYSTRA

Another key part of our international production involves engaging our UK and Ireland based teams to support projects globally. Our colleagues shared the international experience they’ve gained at SYSTRA and how it’s developed their careers.

Reflecting on her experience working alongside teams in Sweden, Gemma Watts, Planner, said: “The Swedish team have been extremely supportive throughout my time working on the project, taking time to guide me through the language barrier and sharing best practices that they have established. This has helped to increase my understanding of project delivery in an international context.”

Project Manager Michael Bryan shared his tips on working as part of a global team. He said: “Appreciate the different cultural/ways of working with different entities and be willing to change from ‘the normal way of working’.”

Working alongside Ludwig, our Business Transformation Director, Charlotte Rogers, drove engagement throughout the business through informative webinars and collating insightful colleague testimonials.

Looking back at the successful launch of International Production Month, she said: “This past month has truly celebrated all aspects of international production and highlighted the champions within our business who are fully embracing our strength as a group.”

Learn more about starting a career at SYSTRA and see our latest jobs here.

RIA North and Huw Merriman visit SYSTRA Manchester for regional rail updates

The session was an opportunity for the rail industry to come together to highlight the importance of rail connectivity to the region, and discuss how infrastructure and services must develop to open up access to opportunities for our communities, enable economic growth and ensure sustainability in transport.

Following an introduction to SYSTRA by Andrew Dugdale, Market Director for Rail, the group heard from Huw Merriman, Chair of the Liverpool-Manchester Railway Partnership Board, and Liz Goldsby, Head of NPR and High Speed Development at Transport for Greater Manchester, on proposals for improving connectivity between the two cities, and beyond.

Huw Merriman outlined his strong belief in the Liverpool-Manchester Railway, saying that the ambition we see today takes inspiration from the birth of the railway 200 years ago. He highlighted the vast potential that improved rail connectivity can unlock, directly for passengers and freight, and more widely for skills, housing and jobs.

Andrew Dugdale said: “We’re proud members of RIA and know that collaboration across the industry is crucial to making the case for rail investment, and delivering the enhancements, that will benefit our people and businesses for generations to come.

“The updates and discussions in the meeting really brought to life the passion that RIA members have for improving rail connectivity, and their determination to work in partnership to realise our regional and national ambitions for connectivity.”

Find out more about our work.

Growing green: SYSTRA enhances Ireland expertise

The global engineering and consulting group, which has offices in Dublin and Cork, has launched a raft of new jobs to help deliver on the connectivity ambitions of stakeholders, clients and partners.

It follows the recent announcement that SYSTRA has been awarded a Single Party Framework Agreement alongside Egis to provide consultancy services to Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) in a joint venture, and the appointment of Ian Byrne as Business Director for Ireland Consultancy.

SYSTRA was also appointed to the National Transport Authority’s BusConnects Client Partner team in support of Jacobs and Arup. Delivered over a ten-year programme, the team will oversee the delivery of over 230km of bus priority corridors, active travel routes and public realm enhancements in the city. The delivery of the BusConnects infrastructure works will provide a step change in sustainable mobility in Dublin, supporting economic growth and the transition to a carbon neutral city.

Further recent success across Ireland includes the appointment of SYSTRA to deliver a range of active travel and Safe Routes to School projects across the country along with the development of a number of regional Electric Vehicle Charging Strategies. These new projects, along with the support SYSTRA is currently providing to local authorities to develop Local Transport Plans for several towns across Ireland, will all support the delivery of a low carbon, sustainable transport system for the future.

Andrew Archer, Regional Market Director for SYSTRA, said: “This is a really exciting time to be joining our growing team.

“The projects we’re working on here in Ireland are leading the way towards a more connected, sustainable network for all communities – bringing people close to opportunities and providing the catalyst to wider economic growth.

 “We’re looking to build a team of engineers and consultants who share our vision for a low carbon transport future, where everybody has access to work, healthcare, education and leisure activities.”

The latest roles include a number of senior and graduate consultant and engineer positions across our transport modelling, rail, transport planning and development and infrastructure teams.  

Candidates will work with organisations such as the National Transport Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Irish Rail, Port of Cork, local authorities, educational and private developers. on developing strategies and designing infrastructure for the future to create sustainable solutions for generations to come.

Alison Pickett, Director, added: “Delivering on projects on time and on cost for our clients in Ireland is crucial to building a better future.

“By joining our team, specialists across a range of disciplines will have the chance to shape the future direction of our important work and collaborate with stakeholders who are focused on optimising outcomes.

“The work we do and the progress we achieve throughout 2025 as an Ireland-based team will make a huge difference for communities now, and into the future.”   

Team celebrates completion of foundations at HS2’s Old Oak Common high speed station

The reinforced concrete base slab covers 45,000 square metres – equivalent to more than six football pitches – and reaches nearly two metres thick at its deepest point. 

This latest phase of construction, which began in April 2023, required 1.3million m³ clay to be excavated for the structure, consisting of 76,000 cubic metres of concrete and 17,000 tonnes of reinforced steel.

Nizar Awad, Old Oak Common Project Director at SYSTRA, said: “We’re delighted to have reached this important milestone. It once again showcases the fantastic collaborative efforts of all those on HS2, Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA and our supply chain partners – bringing together multi-discipline specialists to efficiently deliver the latest stage in the development of this major transport superhub.

“With more than 90% of the low-carbon CCOPact concrete used for the base slab being manufactured on site, we have reduced lorry movements and CO2 emissions. This process contributed to the station being recognised as BREAAM outstanding, meaning we’re very proud to be recognised as being in the top 1% of environmentally friendly buildings in the UK.

“Work is already underway on the six HS2 service platform which is an exciting stage as people passing the site will really start to see this station take shape.”

The station is being delivered for HS2 by the Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA joint venture (BBVS JV). Once completed, it will be one of the best-connected stations in the UK, with the six underground platforms allowing new high-speed services to run between London and the West Midlands, and eight surface-level platforms providing an interchange to the Great Western Railway, Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express.

The latest phase of construction follows the excavation of the box which was completed in the summer of 2024.

Find out more.

SYSTRA supports Welsh Government with net-zero goal

As part of its commitment to ensure every single person in Wales can be part of the solution, the Welsh Government introduced a Public Engagement Strategy in 2023. This provides a framework for working with people across the country to act on climate and nature emergencies and ensuring a range of views are captured. 

SYSTRA’s Social and Market Research Team was chosen to bring their expertise and experience, including from previous work for Transport for Wales on a range of sustainable transport initiatives, to evaluate how the strategy is contributing to the net zero target in a new report published today, Thursday 6^th February 2025. 

To do this, our team of professional researchers and evaluators developed a Theory of Change (ToC) logic model for the strategy. A ToC is an established evaluation tool for outlining what an intervention aims to achieve and how, by breaking down each component into its inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes, and impacts. By integrating the COM-B model of behavioural change, used by the Welsh Government for the Public Engagement Strategy into the Theory of Change, the Theory of Change demonstrates what changes in public participation outcomes would need to be measured to say it is the strategy specifically that has led to positive change. 

Sally McNamara, Project Director at SYSTRA, said: “All nations need to achieve their net zero targets to create a sustainable society, and our Social Market Research Team is proud to be helping the Welsh Government with their approach. As they continue to deliver on their engagement strategy, the Theory of Change model will be vital to understand what is working, why, and how, to maximise the positive environmental impacts. It is now a live document and will develop as the strategy evolves. 

“This project was also personally insightful. I’ve always been passionate about active travel and recycling, but this work made me realise I’m doing a lot of things in isolation, and there is so much more I can do. Due to this project, I’ve joined a couple of local community groups and am going to give our next monthly repair café a go rather than dump a speaker that isn’t working. I’m also trying to do more than simply model green behaviour to my daughters but get them involved in volunteering, including our next community litter pick, and working in a community garden.” 

SYSTRA’s Social and Market Research Team worked with colleagues Prof Wouter Poortinga and Dr Caroline Verfuerth from Cardiff University and the Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations (CAST), who contributed to the evidence review and advised on the theory of change logic model.  

Read the SYSTRA report for the Welsh Government ‘Theory of Change for Climate Action Wales: Public Engagement Strategy 2023-2026’ in English or Welsh.

SYSTRA appoints consultancy business director for Ireland to help drive growth

Ian Byrne has this month been appointed Ireland Consultancy Business Director and will be fully dedicated to the market moving forward.

Ian has more than 27 years’ professional experience in sustainable transport planning, strategy development and transport modelling.

He has been with the business, based in Dublin, for more than 19 years, and throughout his career has demonstrated an excellent understanding of the interrelationship between transport modes, particularly in the context of transport strategy preparation and implementation.  

Most recently, Ian has been Business Director for Data Modelling & Analytics (DMA) at SYSTRA, leading on projects for clients including the National Transport Authority, Department of Transport and Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) in Ireland whilst leading SYSTRA’s DMA sector across the UK and Ireland. 

Ian said: “I’m delighted to take on this role, which offers a fantastic opportunity to lead and work alongside a talented team committed to delivering sustainable transport solutions for our clients right across Ireland. 

“In today’s world, addressing the challenges posed by climate change is more crucial than ever, and transport plays a pivotal role in this effort. 

“I look forward to contributing to our mission of advancing active travel, public transport and rail systems, ensuring sustainable and efficient mobility for everyone while reducing our carbon footprint.” 

SYSTRA has seen significant growth in its consultancy business in Ireland over the past couple of years, which positions the business to make the most of strong opportunities in 2025, and beyond. 

Working closely with colleagues from SYSTRA’s engineering business, Ian will help build a collaborative, multi-disciplinary team ready to make the most of the potential in the Ireland market across rail, highways, active travel and wider transport planning. 

SYSTRA has offices in Dublin and Cork, has recently secured work on the NTA BusConnects Client Partner project in Dublin, and has been awarded a Single Party Framework Agreement, alongside Egis, to provide consultancy services to Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) in a joint venture.

SYSTRA specialists to support National Transport Authority on connecting Dublin

A multi-disciplinary team of specialists from SYSTRA will be working to enhance connectivity for people and places across Dublin as part of the BusConnects project.

The BusConnects Dublin, Core Bus Corridors Infrastructure Works Program, is a critical 10-year program comprising 12 core bus corridors. Delivered by the National Transport Authority (NTA), the aim is to deliver a substantial upgrade to walking, cycling and bus infrastructure across Dublin. This will not only seek to enhance accessibility and resilience for critical infrastructure, but will also help address climate change.

SYSTRA consultants will provide multi-disciplinary technical expertise and major programme management capability working for the NTA’s client partner Jacobs, alongside Arup and Chandler KBS. 

Together they will work on approximately 230 kilometres of continuous bus priority corridors and approximately 200 kilometres of cycle paths and improved pedestrian facilities. 

For SYSTRA, the work follows previous significant involvement in BusConnects schemes since 2018, including supporting the delivery of the Dublin and Cork BusConnects Environmental Impact Assessment Reports, a project at Liffey Valley including a bus interchange and other bus priority projects and active travel enhancements. 

Ian Byrne, Business Director for Ireland Consultancy at SYSTRA, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting the NTA on this significant transport infrastructure project which will bring a wealth of benefits to people in Dublin and the Dublin Greater Area.

“Our local and global experience in delivering sustainable solutions that seamlessly connect people and places will inform our work as part of a collaborative team, with shared goals of reducing public transport journey times, reducing climate impact, and supporting growth and access to opportunities.

“We look forward to working with our colleagues from all the partner organisations to boost Dublin’s connectivity.”

NTA Head of BusConnects Dublin Infrastructure Aidan Gallagher said: “BusConnects will deliver a better-connected Dublin with improved public transport, cycling and pedestrian infrastructure along the 12 spines. This will lead to greater reliability and improved journey times with better access to housing, employment and essential services such as healthcare and education, while also investing in our local economy.”

Find out more about SYSTRA in Ireland.

SYSTRA-designed bridge replacement completed on time for Transpennine Route Upgrade

The five-day operation saw the new 200-tonne bridge in Osmondthorpe Lane, Leeds, moved into position and installed through a collaborative effort among all partners in the TRU East Alliance. It brings customers one step closer to faster, greener and more reliable journeys between Manchester and York. 

The bridge, designed by SYSTRA specialists, weighs 200 tonnes and was moved into position in one piece by a self-propelled modular transport (SPMT) vehicle. Once in place, new tracks and more than 270 tonnes of ballast were laid, before the railway was handed back – on time – for passenger services to resume. 

SYSTRA also supported the safety and assurance of the project through the use of SYSTRA Vision software. The 4D planning tool enabled a dynamic virtual rehearsal to be developed, helping to identify and reduce risk, and streamline planning and execution.

SYSTRA’s Practice Director, John Oldridge, said: “The Transpennine Route Upgrade East is really important to the region, to the network, and to our business.

“It’s something we’re really proud to be part of – it will transform the journey for passengers between York and Leeds, and beyond, support the future capacity of rail services, and also enhance the wider economy.” 

Sekoura Benissad, Operations Director, added: “It’s fantastic to see the culmination of years of work successfully delivered for the TRU East Alliance with the Osmondthorpe Lane bridge replacement.   

“The skill, expertise and commitment the SYSTRA design team bring to the Alliance to support the delivery of innovative solutions is second-to-none, and we are delighted to be part of this highly successful collaborative approach to delivering significant rail infrastructure projects.”

SYSTRA is part of the TRU East Alliance alongside Network Rail, Murphy, Volker Rail and Siemens to deliver increased capacity, quicker journey times and more reliable journeys between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York. 

Find out more about our work on the Transpennine Route Upgrade.

SYSTRA Scott Lister UK transfers to SYSTRA Limited, bringing human factors expertise to the UK and Ireland

They bring substantial consultancy expertise in the fields of human factors and ergonomics, systems engineering, Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and system Safety (RAMS), conventional and metro signalling.

These colleagues are already active on key projects such as HS2 and the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), and the Human Factors Team has recently been accredited for their record of exceptional delivery with the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors.

Nick Salt, SYSTRA Limited CEO, said: “We’re delighted to complete the transfer of SYSTRA Scott Lister UK to strengthen our team of specialist engineers.

“They bring with them many years of experience, including on major rail projects in the UK, and have been working closely with our management structure over the past few months to ensure a smooth transition.

“We look forward to working together on many more sustainable transport and infrastructure projects as SYSTRA Limited.”

Jordan Smith, Principal Human Factors Consultant, added: “We’re excited to become part of SYSTRA Limited, bringing over 50 years of highways, aviation and diverse railway experience to the projects that SYSTRA is currently embarking on.

“Incorporating human factors – which examines the way people interact with and are affected by transportation and other systems – not only helps support the safe and efficient delivery of complex engineering projects; it also ensures each system is designed with the end user in mind, encompassing passengers, operational roles and maintenance roles.

“Offering these services to the UK and Ireland markets as part of SYSTRA Limited gives us the leading-edge in developing and delivering innovative and effective solutions for our clients and communities.”

Read our insight to find out how our human factors specialists are working to improve level crossing safety.