The British Dam Society’s 11th supervising engineers’ forum is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 17 April 2013 and will be held at the National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull, Birmingham, UK.
1. Introduction
The aim of the forum is to highlight and discuss topics directly relevant to the roles of supervising engineers and undertakers. It provides a great opportunity to share knowledge on the supervision and monitoring of dams. The forum will also provide an opportunity to discuss those matters that may affect the roles of supervising engineers and undertakers in the future, such as developments in reservoir legislation and emergency plans.
The forum should be of much interest to supervising engineers, other panel engineers and undertakers. It will also be useful for all those involved in dam safety, those progressing towards supervising engineer status and students. The forum counts as one day of continuing professional development.
2. Venue
Due to the generally positive feedback received from the previous forum, the 2013 event will once again be held at the National Motorcycle Museum (NMM), Solihull. The full address of the venue is
National Motorcycle Museum
Solihull
Birmingham
West Midlands
B92 0EJ
We will be using the same rooms as previously. This will provide individual areas for the presentations, lunch/coffee breaks and exhibitors.
3. Outline format of the forum
There will be four presentation sessions. The following topics are provisionally proposed
updates in legislation
the role of the supervising engineer
monitoring and examination of reservoirs
matters concerning undertakers.
The presentation sessions will be followed by an open-forum discussion. This will give an opportunity to discuss further the earlier presentations or to raise topics that have not previously been highlighted.
4. Exhibitors
There will be an area for exhibitors at the forum. Exhibitors will be welcome at no additional charge as long as they send at least two delegates. They should bring all the necessary equipment that they may require. The venue will be able to provide tables.
It will be appreciated if anyone interested in exhibiting could make contact as soon as possible. This will help ensure that the necessary arrangements can be confirmed in advance of the event. Please contact Peter Down by e-mail (peter.down@mm-b.co.uk), by telephone (+44 (0)113 2122181) or by post (c/o Mott MacDonald Bentley, Livingstone House, Chadwick Street, Clarence Dock, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 1LJ) if you wish to exhibit.
5. Registration
The forum is organised on a not-for-profit, voluntary basis. This has enabled us to keep the cost of the forum to a minimum, making it excellent value for money. There are attractive concessionary rates for delegates under 35 years old and there will be no charge for students.
Details regarding registration are provided on the BDS website.
The closing date for registration is Friday March 1, 2013. For further information or a copy of the registration form, please contact Peter Down (contact details given above).
6. Transport links
If you are intending travelling by road, the NMM is located just off the M42, junction 56 and Coventry Road (A45). This provides good links with the national road network. The museum has plentiful free car parking.
The Birmingham National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham International airport and Birmingham International railway station are all located within a mile of the venue.
The ‘900’ Birmingham-to-Coventry bus service, operated by Travel West Midlands, stops at Coventry Road/Bickenhill Lane, Bickenhill close to the NMM. This bus also stops at Birmingham NEC, Birmingham International railway station and Birmingham International airport (http://www.networkwestmidlands.co.uk/).
The following taxi firms operate in the area
247 Radio Cars – tel.: +44 (0)121 222 2222
A2B Radio Cars – tel.: +44 (0)121 695 9744
Plaza Travel – tel.: +44 (0)121 382 1111
Solihull Taxis – tel.: +44 (0)121 285 7777.
Due to its location next to the major road networks in the area it is not easy to walk to the venue. Therefore, if arriving by air or train it is advised to use the bus or taxi services.
7. Accommodation
There are two hotels associated with the NMM
Manor Hotel Meriden – tel.: +44 (0)1676 522735
Windmill Village Hotel, Golf & Leisure Club – tel.: +44 (0)2476 404040.
Other hotels in the area include
Crowne Plaza Hotel (near Birmingham NEC) – tel.: +44 (0)871 423 4828
Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel (near Birmingham NEC) – tel.: +44 (0)121 780 4242
Ramada Encore (near Birmingham NEC/airport) – tel.: +44 (0)121 780 5900
Holiday Inn Express (near Birmingham NEC) – tel.: +44 (0)871 423 4828
Premier Inn (near Birmingham NEC/airport) – tel.: +44 (0)871 527 8086
Travelodge (near Birmingham International airport) – tel.: +44 (0)871 984 6483.
Please note that the details of any of the businesses stated above are given in good faith and do not reflect any endorsement by the BDS.
