ACE members are being asked to input into a review of reservoir panel engineers led by Lord Mair. The review will draw together views from across the engineering industry and water sector.

The number of panel engineers has declined while demand for their services have increased following changes introduced after the major incident at Toddbrook Reservoir in 2019. There are now genuine fears that the UK will lack sufficient qualified engineers to carry out this work which is vital to ensuring the safety of reservoirs across the country.

Professor Lord Robert Mair, chair of the ICE Review of the Future Supply of Reservoir Panel Engineers said: “This is not a new issue, I know that many in the sector have thought deeply about this subject over many years and I am very keen to draw on your thinking.”

Guto Davies, head of policy at ACE, said: “Given members will be vital to delivering the recommendations of this review, it is important their views are taken on board on a topic which has implications for many communities across the country. We will need to work alongside asset owners, regulators, government and others on any change in approach.”

ACE members interested in inputting into ACE’s co-ordinated industry response, are asked to get in touch with Paul Barnes, ACE policy researcher, before Friday 10 June. Members will be invited to a short online meeting to share views and discuss the issue.