Independent review aims to take lessons from Grenfell Tower fire

Former government chief construction advisor Prof Peter Hansford has been asked to lead the review for the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).

According to ICE, the review will not duplicate the government enquiry into the specific failings at Grenfell, nor will it address matters that are subject to a criminal investigation.

ICE president Prof Tim Broyd said: “ICE’s aim with this review is to establish what needs to be done to mitigate the risk of a similar tragedy resulting from the failure of infrastructure assets or networks.

“As the world’s premier civil engineering organisation it is right that we assess whether change is needed to how we procure, design, construct and maintain the UK’s infrastructure.”

Prof Hansford’s review will be complete by the end of October 2017.

“The Grenfell Tower tragedy has quite rightly led to a period of deep reflection amongst civil engineers about what the failings at Grenfell highlight for practices across the construction sector,” said Prof Hansford. “Inevitably the Judicial Inquiry and any criminal investigation may take time to complete.  It is important however that the profession moves quickly to capture and implement lessons as quickly as possible.”