SYSTRA relocates in Glasgow signalling strong growth across the UK

SYSTRA relocates in Glasgow signalling strong growth across the UK

SYSTRA has moved its Glasgow office to Bothwell Street in the city centre, driven by exceptional local growth and a commitment to attracting top talent in the west of Scotland. As a leading specialist in transport planning, engineering and infrastructure, SYSTRA continues to deliver solutions to address complex client challenges in the city and beyond.

The 30-strong Glasgow based team advises many national and local organisations, including Transport Scotland, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), NHS Scotland; local authorities; energy, EV and solar charging companies; and housing developers. The team in Glasgow is also working on projects across the rest of the UK and internationally, including in Ireland and the Middle East.

Seb Dupont, Managing Director of Consultancy at SYSTRA, added: “Glasgow is an exciting city and we are immensely proud of our presence here. Our new vibrant office demonstrates our ambition to be the specialist team of choice for transport, energy and infrastructure services in Scotland. The Bothwell Street location is within striking distance of Central Station and Queen Street Station making it highly accessible by train, bike and bus for our colleagues, clients and partners.

“We are excited to expand our portfolio of work in Glasgow and across Scotland while welcoming new talent to the business. Our colleagues in Glasgow will continue to support our clients on delivering solutions to complex projects in the UK, Ireland and throughout the world.”

SYSTRA’s new Glasgow office is located at S2.1, 25 Bothwell Street, Glasgow, G2 6NL. The historic location, nestled within Glasgow’s iconic ‘grid layout’, dates back to the late 1700s – a design so influential that it inspired the street plans of major American cities including New York and Philadelphia.

SYSTRA’s 4D virtual design tool wins at the SPOTLIGHT Rail Awards

Our specialists were recognised for using SYSTRA Vision to proactively manage safety risks on the TRU East project by integrating 3D models with time (the fourth dimension) to digitally rehearse complex activities in a controlled, virtual environment. The tool allows for early identification of potential hazards and inefficiencies, helping to reduce unforeseen risk, improve safety, and streamline planning and execution.

As part of the TRU East Alliance with Network Rail, Murphy, Siemens and VolkerRail, the SYSTRA digital engineering specialists have used SYSTRA Vision on a number of activities along the route, all ultimately helping to improve connectivity in the North.

Once such example of its use is the Osmondthorpe Lane bridge replacement in Leeds, which was delivered successfully on time at the end of 2024.

Rob Dale, Technical Director for SYSTRA, commented:

“It was great to attend the SPOTLIGHT Rail Awards, and even better to come away with such prestigious recognition. The team have been working very hard to build SYSTRA Vision and support our clients to deliver their projects more safely, quickly and efficiently, and it’s wonderful to share this success.

“The recent TRU East work to replace the Osmondthorpe Lane bridge is a fantastic example of how we can use technologies to better integrate and inform our work, improving project and construction delivery and safety.

“Our implementation of SYSTRA Vision on the TRU project, and winning the SPOTLIGHT Rail Awards, showcases our commitment to innovation and safety leadership, demonstrating our expertise in combining cutting-edge technology with our in-depth engineering expertise.”

Find out more about SYSTRA Vision.

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.

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 at Transport AI 2025 Conference 

From the use of AI algorithms to optimise route planning, to analysing traffic flows and safety data – our systems can inform the design of networks and improve capacity, and sustainability, planning. 

The themes of building an ecosystem while unlocking real world potential are the focus of the Transport AI 2025 Conference in Manchester. 

We’re delighted to be a headline sponsor at the event, which gives us a great opportunity to meet industry colleagues and join the important debates around innovation across the transportation sector. 

Our specialised data science expertise helps organisations produce meaningful insights from the data they collect and create. Our teams can manage, process and interrogate large volumes of data to produce visualisations that present analysis in accessible and useable formats.  

Learn more about how we have developed innovative data modelling tools to help clients in multiple sectors appraise the impacts and outcomes of their schemes and proposals

Transport AI 2025 brings together public and private sector professionals to discuss the latest developments in artificial intelligence (AI). 

The programme features a large expo zone, round table discussion and facilitated pitching sessions throughout the day. 

Our specialists will also feature on panels across the day, bringing their expertise and insights into AI innovation across road, rail, air and place. 

Llewelyn Morgan, our Head of Innovation, will join the morning plenary, looking at how AI will transform transport – focusing specifically on elements around safety and resilience. 

Our Associate Director – data science, Erik Nielsen, will then join the breakout session looking at real-world AI in action, and outline how AI can improve junction safety. 

The exhibition zone will provide space for attendees to network and discuss collaboratively the opportunities and challenges of AI. 

We’ll be showcasing our experience in help clients in multiple sectors make informed decisions at all stages of their major infrastructure projects. 

We provide data insights that add value and unlock competitive advantage for major infrastructure projects. 

Find out more about our Data Science and Visualisation services.

Our AI Steering Group was established to formulate our AI strategy in the UK & Ireland. The team also look to develop AI models and tools, along with AI training and guidance. 

In this recent article for TransportXtra, our Associate Director Digital, Martin Campbell, and Llewelyn Morgan, Head of Innovation, set out how we can accelerate the benefits of using AI-based tools in transport.

Read the article in full: Transport and AI: breaking free

We’d love to help with your next project

Downloads & resources

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.