Welcome to the Southern Branch Web Site and I hope you find it interesting and helpful. Please visit us regularly to keep abreast of what we are arranging for your continued professional development and interest.

Firstly, I would like to say thank you and best wishes to Alison Coffey, our previous Chairman, who has taken up the challenge of a Contracts Manager with the Mouchel Group in Perth, Australia. I am privileged to have been selected by the Branch Committee to serve as Chairman and I am aware that Alison set a standard that I will work to equal if not better.

The Branch goes from success to success and we have recently held our 18th, and probably one of the most successful Seminars in Winchester where over 100 delegates received presentations of the highest calibre from eminent and knowledgeable speakers. We hope that as a result of this, Engineering colleagues are better informed on how the road is constructed and methods they can adopt to both maintain and sustain our valuable asset.

The Branch Committee have prepared plans for the forthcoming months with interesting visits arranged. I urge you to visit the Future Events pages frequently for further information which will be published as the events arrangements are confirmed. Please, however, remember that despite our enthusiasm and care some events may have to be changed or postponed if speakers or venues become unavailable. As always, we value any input from Branch Members and if you have any suggestions for technical presentations or visits, please let us know and we will endeavour to follow them through – unless you wish to do it!

Members will be aware that there is a proposal under discussion at this year’s national AGM to change the title of the Institute to that of “Institute of Highway Engineers” which reflects that we can now award Eng. Tech., IEng., and CEng. Southern Branch Committee support the change which we believe will bring fresh stimulus into the Institute and, hopefully, encourage a higher membership. A change of name will not affect Southern where the committee will continue to provide events for our Branch Members.

I hope all members received the latest copy of the Branch Newsletter that was posted directly to member’s homes. If you haven’t received a copy, please contact the Branch Secretary who will send one and who will also change the records should you have moved home.

Along with my Committee colleagues, I look forward to seeing you at our forthcoming events.

Chris Stark Eng.Tech. MIHIE. Branch Chairman