Our wonderful team are our greatest asset. Not only experts in transport, engineering and placemaking but also committed to delivering better places for people through high-level-service client experiences.
We’re very proud to continue to celebrate the faces behind the fast-growing international consultancy that we are today in our monthly feature ‘PJA People’.
Next up in our series is Principal Engineer, Abbie Smart, based in our Birmingham office:
Tell us what you do at PJA
A civil engineer who gets excited about supporting active travel routes. I work closely with Manchester and Reading as well as transport colleagues in Birmingham to design and detail improvements for cycling and walking infrastructure.
What’s your career path so far?
I’ve always been within the consultancy sector, apart from the time whereby I was having a “third-life crisis” and I didn’t know where or what I wanted to be. Luckily, I’ve struck gold now at PJA, combining my passion for cycling with my background in civil engineering. I started work as a technician in my early 20’s, studying and working together. Looking back I don’t think I’d have done it any other way and recommend this route to anyone.
What do you enjoy when you’re not working?
I used to like walking and hiking, then I had Alfie 😊 Still try to get out into nature as much as possible. I think I just generally enjoy being around people to be honest. Being outside with people, yes, that’s my favourite time.
Are you a dog or cat person?
100% a dog person. Although, quite fussy and they need to be well trained dogs…but it does freak me out when they go to lick your face! Not sure I understand cats (no offence to cat lovers). I think I enjoy the active side associated with dogs. Here’s a photo of my favourite dog when I went on a camping trip to Durdle Door with friends. This is Colin.
What are you currently reading or listening to?
I’ve just finished Amanda Owens first book – The Yorkshire Shepherdess. It honestly takes me months to get through a whole book, so it has to be interesting to get me hooked. This one did. All the admiration for a young woman who followed her dreams, survived off pasta and got her hands dirty! Maybe I’m slightly jealous of her outdoor lifestyle, but I can also admit she has a much stronger character than I could ever be.
Claim to fame?
Oh, I was on the local news once, when I was in primary school. I read a poem! There was a big event at that time – celebrating Aneurin Bevan, the legend that founded the NHS. This memory has always stuck with me, as we are so fortunate in this country to have the NHS available to all. Hopefully it continues on.
Abbie Smart, Principal Engineer
Abbie benefits from 16 years of experience in the civils and development infrastructure sectors. She has previously delivered highway and earthworks projects and secured technical approval of technical design schemes, led on Local Authority adoption processes and managed the implementation of the design through the construction stages.
Abbie is keen to incorporate sustainable design solutions within her designs and passionate to deliver work to a high quality for clients. Her knowledge and skills will seek to complement cycling and walking design considerations.
Get in touch with Abbie: [email protected]
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