Former engineer at WSP, Ian Watt has joined Ridge and Partners as part of its Manchester infrastructure team.

The appointment comes after the recent funding announcement for the extension of the West Midlands' Metro network, on which Ridge serves as a key advisor.

Chris Haworth, the Manchester-based partner at Ridge leading the firm's West Midlands Metro project team, said: "Ian has an incredibly strong track record in delivering complex transport infrastructure schemes, including recent extensions of the Manchester Metrolink tram system. Our team managing the tram extension from Wolverhampton to Brierley Hill have the potential to benefit greatly from his experience."

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Ian Watt added: "Delivering major urban infrastructure of this type involves a wide range of technical challenges and performance constraints. My experience is in overcoming such barriers to delivery and I'm looking forward to getting stuck in to the wide range of challenges that the Ridge project portfolio will present."

The Ridge north west offices in Manchester and Liverpool are currently advising on Stockport Town Centre Access Plan, SEMMMS Bus Rapid Transit, Accessible Oldham, Wigan and Bolton's recent HIF Forward Funding Bid and KeolisAmey Metrolink business transformation in preparation for operation of the £350m Trafford Park Line extension.

(CM)