In this podcast we discuss the tricky issue of engaging and winning over communities when planning and delivering new infrastructure projects and policies.

Someone once said that a lie can be half way around the world before the truth has even got its boots on. Well in today’s social media driven 24 hour news cycle I would say that the truth is likely to be even further behind nowadays.

When it comes to engaging with the public to explain the rationale behind infrastructure investment, design and delivery professionals need to be very aware of this reality. As should politicians.

Three recent example spring to mind. The first, of course, is the HS2 project. Hugely controversial from the start but once named High Speed 2, no amount of public relations effort is ever going to convince detractors that this project is about capacity. 

Second is the equally controversial plan to extend London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone scheme. Designed to improve air quality impacting children’s health – this policy is now spearheading the anti green taxation, anti-Extinction Rebellion, anti-Just Stop Oil lobby and looks set to scupper the UK’s effort to achieve its net zero targets.

Finally comes the debate over planning after the government vowed to give local communities choice and the power to veto projects they don’t like – such as onshore wind turbines, about which we are hearing political noise this week that this may well be changed to accelerate the delivery of renewable power. 

But this debate also covers many other projects such as the vital new power distribution lines needed to power up the electric cars and heat pumps that government is simultaneously mandating. Is that really a choice local communities should make – or be able to make? 

Navigating this complex, highly emotional and usually very unlevel playing field is difficult. As is getting to the truth behind policies then explaining it to often polarise communities. And de-politicising decisions around infrastructure investment is simply impossible.

But navigating the route is a vital part of our infrastructure future which has to be faced if we are to prosper sustainably as a nation. 

To discuss this conundrum, my guest today is Martin McCrink, managing partner of communications and public engagement specialist Copper Consultancy. Martin has spent a career wading into battles and seeking the vital consensus and compromise require to progress so ideally placed to discuss this knotty issue. 

Resources
Copper Consulting website

UK government neighbourhood planning guidance

TfL London Low Emission Zone guidance