HR Wallingford is supporting the Natural Environment Research Council’s ( NERC) new strategic innovation initiative to help protect some of Britain’s most important national infrastructure from environmental hazards.
The five-year, £5m Environmental Risks to Infrastructure Innovation Programme (ERIIP) will give decision-makers in areas such as energy, transport and water improved access to NERC’s world-class environmental science.
ERIIP will help them to manage risks to Britain’s infrastructure system from environmental hazards such as extreme weather, flooding and landslips, while also creating new opportunities for growth. The investment will help to underpin the Governments’ National Infrastructure Plan, and emphasises NERC’s commitment to working in partnership to unlock the societal and economic potential of its science.
As one of the initial ERIIP signatories, HR Wallingford is helping to steer the programme, and will help to shape project calls, identify research requirements and support project delivery.
The programme was launched at an event in London attended by initial signatories ARUP, Atkins, EDF Energy, the Environment Agency, HR Wallingford and National Grid.
HR Wallingford Technical Director Jonathan Simm said: “ We are delighted to play a role in ERIIP. HR Wallingford’s internationally recognised expertise in the fields of flood management, coastal infrastructure and climate change will help steer the research to ensure the future resilience of infrastructure in the UK.”
NERC Chief Executive Professor Duncan Wingham said: “ Last winter the UK’s infrastructure was severely tested by a prolonged period of severe weather. The resulting floods and disruption to the rail network serve to underline the need to build resilience into our national infrastructure, and it’s clear that NERC has an important role to play in providing the information and expertise required to do so.
“This new innovation programme will help the infrastructure sector to make full use of NERC’s science in this area .”
[mappress mapid=”19683″]
Press Release