In this edition of Steel Intelligence, we look at the often uncelebrated contribution that well-designed infrastructure can make to the quality of the environment. As well as being a vital part of improvements to the rail network around Manchester, the cascading, continuous steel form of the Ordsall Chord has become a local landmark. So too has the flue tower on the Greenwich Peninsula Energy Centre, which has transcended its function to become a distinctive faceted artwork by Conrad Shawcross that brings diversion and delight to motorists inching to and from the Blackwall Tunnel. We also look at the crucially important issue of protecting steel in the case of fire in a Q&A with British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA) fire expert David Moore, who answers questions from architects on topics such as intumescent coatings and the behaviour of steel in fire. Finally, BCSA director-general Sarah McCann-Bartlett reassures architects specifying steel that there would be only a low risk to supply in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

Gold sponsors 
AJN Steelstock Ltd 
Ficep UK Ltd 
Kingspan Limited 
National Tube Stockholders and Cleveland Steel & Tubes 
Peddinghaus Corporation 
voestalpine Metsec plc 
Wedge Group Galvanizing
 
Silver sponsors
Hadley Group 
Jack Tighe Ltd 
Tata Steel 
Trimble Solutions (UK) Ltd