Build to Last. Lead the Change

Investment in the UK's bridges is reaching the sector through more routes than ever. The third Road Investment Strategy commits a record £8.4bn to renewing the strategic road network, the DfT Structures Fund is supporting councils to repair and replace ageing bridges, flyovers and tunnels, multi-year maintenance funding is giving local authorities greater certainty to plan ahead, and investment continues across the rail network, all shaped by the government's 10-year infrastructure strategy.

The question now is how that investment is put to work. For most bridge owners, the most pressing issue isn't designing new structures but keeping existing ones safe and open. With much of the UK's bridge stock ageing and under pressure, the focus is on making better decisions about when to repair, strengthen or replace, finding smarter and more efficient ways to deliver renewals, and building the skills and capacity to get the work done.

Under the theme Built to Last, Lead the Change, Bridges 2027 brings together clients, engineers, contractors and designers to tackle both sides of the challenge. Alongside the latest on government funding and lessons from the Structures Fund, local and international case studies will show how bridge owners and engineers are making tough decisions on ageing structures and delivering complex projects.

The programme also looks firmly ahead. Discover the new technology transforming how bridges are inspected, monitored and managed, from digital tools to AI and data-driven decision-making. Explore how the sector is cutting carbon through creative approaches such as reusing materials and lean design, and hear how projects are delivering lasting value for the communities they serve. With the workforce under pressure, we'll also ask what it takes to build the skills, confidence and leadership the industry needs to drive change.

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