Established 1971 | ||
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Affiliation | ||
The British Tunnelling Society (BTS) was established in London, UK, in 1971 by tunnelling professionals. The BTS is a learned society of the Institution of Civil Engineers, its mission being to provide a forum for meetings and discussion on tunnel-related matters.
The BTS was a key player in the founding of the International Tunnelling Association (ITA) in 1974 and represents the UK on its General Assembly. It also maintains a leading role in the development of the tunnelling industry whilst promoting safe, efficient, sustainable, and technically advanced design, construction and use of underground space.
In 2016, the BTS had nearly 800 members making it one of the largest and most active associated societies of ICE, with members under 35 years of age represented by British Tunnelling Society Young Members (BTSYM). The current chairman of the BTS, Mark Leggett, assumed the position in May 2016
Contents
- Activities
- BTS Evening Meetings Conference
- Links with Government
- Education Training
- Awards Prizes
- Harding Prize
- The James Clark Medal
- Publications
- Former BTS Chairmen
- National Tunnelling Day
- Dates of National Tunnelling Day
- BTS Young Members
- Management
- Schools and Universities
- Professional Development
- Media
- Former BTSYM Chairs
- References
Activities
The BTS provides a forum for meetings and discussion on tunnel-related matters, the BTS also publishes industry guidelines and codes of practice; conducts training courses to advance the education of tunnelling professionals; actively supports the recruitment of young people to the industry; acknowledges excellence in tunnelling; sponsors and supports industry conferences; and advises Government and the general public on the art and science of tunnelling.
BTS Evening Meetings & Conference
The British Tunnelling Society holds evening meetings (generally) on every third Thursday of the month, from September to June, at the Institution of Civil Engineers, One Great George Street in London. The evening meetings start with a lecture and includes a period of audience questions and answers. With networking continuing in the bar afterwards, this makes it one of the busiest nights of the month. Each meeting is also streamed live on the internet and a recording is also available on the BTS website for later replay.
The BTS also organises the BTS Conference & Exhibition and Harding Memorial Lecture every second year. Named after Sir Harold Harding – the found of the society - the latter, is delivered by an eminent speaker who presents a lecture on their specialist, tunnelling related subject. Some notable presenters of the Harding Memorial Lecture include Sir Alan Muir Wood, Prof. Lord Robert Mair and Dr Barry New.
Links with Government
The BTS alongside the Institution of Civil Engineers , takes an active role in promoting the tunnelling industry and sustainable infrastructure to Government and Parliamentarians. This is achieved through the All Party Parliamentary Group on Infrastructure (APPGI), and communications with Whitehall, including HM Treasury, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Cabinet Office.
The All Party Parliamentary Group on Infrastructure provides a platform, and is supplemented by writing to Ministers on issues of concern and by the personal engagement of some of our Members on Parliament-related business.
The BTS has contributed to Whitehall initiatives to review the cost of infrastructure and the efficiency of procurement. This leads into our constant message to the Government; a cry for a planned sustained tunnelling workload to exploit and retain our world-class resources.
Education & Training
The BTS runs and sponsors various training courses through the year with the aim to spread knowledge amongst its members whilst aiding the education of the next generation of tunnellers. At present, the BTS runs two training courses – a 2 day long Underground Health & Safety Course and a 5 day long Tunnel Design & Construction Course – held once every year.
Additionally, the BTS supports the MSc in Tunnelling and Underground Space at The University of Warwick, by advising on the course structure and facilitating lecturers from industry for many modules.
Awards & Prizes
The BTS awards the James Clarke Medal and Harding Prize annually to recognise the achievements of both eminent and young tunnellers respectively.
Harding Prize
Named in honour of Sir Harold, The Harding Prize is awarded each year in April. The entry to the award consists of an original paper relating to any aspect of tunnelling which the entrant considers to be of interest to others in the tunnelling industry and is open to those aged 33 or younger on 1 January of the same year. The papers are then reviewed by a group of BTS committee members and the writers of selected papers are invited to make an oral presentation to the April BTS meeting. The winner is decided by members of the BTS Committee.
The James Clark Medal
The medal is named in honour of James Clark who worked for Charles Brand and Sons on many well-known tunnels, and died in his early 60s. In 1981 his wife, Madeline, bequeathed a sum of money to provide a medal to be awarded annually to a British Tunneller to perpetuate James' memory. The original criteria were: contemporary achievement in tunnelling; or innovation or responsibility for a large project. In the mid 1980s the medal was not awarded, and with Madeline's approval a third criteria was added: a major contribution to the tunnelling industry. The James Clark Medal is the highest honour awarded by The British Tunnelling Society and has been awarded to,
Publications
Over the years, The BTS and its Working Groups have published, or collaborated with others to publish, numerous best practice and other guides. These publications include,
The BTS has also actively participated in the production or revision of a number of key standards for the tunnelling industry:
Many of these publications are available for free download on the BTS website, which also contains links to tunnelling videos, safety videos, a UK tunnels database, and a substantial recommended reading list.
Former BTS Chairmen
National Tunnelling Day
The British Tunnelling Society (BTS) announced the UK's first National Tunnelling Day to take place on Thursday, 3 December 2015. The aim of the day is to generate interest in the great number of world class tunnelling projects currently being undertaken in the UK and to promote the industry (and its many professions) to young people and students of all ages. The day will be an annual event on the first Thursday of December chosen due to its proximity of the Feast Day of St. Barbara, traditionally seen as the Patron Saint of Tunnellers in the UK.Thus, National Tunnelling Day in 2016 will be observed on 1 December.
Dates of National Tunnelling Day
BTS Young Members
The British Tunnelling Society Young Members BTSYM was formed in London 2008 as a sub group under the main society. It was formed under the direction of the BTS Main committee as a way to promote the tunnelling industry and provide guidance for young engineers under the age of the 35.
Since 2008 under the founding directive from the main society the BTSYM committee set up four distinct groups: Management, Schools and Universities, Professional Development and Media.
Management
The aim of the management group is to co-ordinate all of the BTS Young Members work. The Chair of this group also sits on the BTS committee and reports on the progress of the BTS Young members, and is responsible for monitoring the progress of the committees work against the allocated funding.
Schools and Universities
The aim of this group is go out to school's and Universities to raise the profile of tunnel engineering. The group provides support to the MSc in Tunnelling & Underground Space at the University of Warwick. The Group provide's School events, University events and Networking event's around the UK to introduce new students and graduates to the world of tunnelling.
Professional Development
The aim of this group is to assist young graduate engineers in acquiring wider knowledge and skill bases, that are required to become a competent engineer, in accordance with the Institution of Civil Engineers. This is accomplished through providing site visits and presentation as well as assistance on the BTS Tunnel Design & Construction Course and the BTS Underground Health and Safety Course.
In addition to above there are monthly events held at the ICE, London, which are open for all who have an interest in engineering to attend.
Media
The media group is responsible for promoting the tunnelling industry through the following media forms: