To many clients, the ability of SRA to plan, implement and monitor consultation is our most well known strength.  We are currently working with the Institution of Highways and Transport to write a chapter on this subject for their new Manual 'Transport in the Urban Environment'. We are also represented on the Council of the National Infrastructure Planning Association which has been set up to improve the UK planning process. The challenge is to ensure that people are engaged on a meaningful level within available resources, to avoid unnecessary delay and to reduce the risk of judicial review.

A core belief is that public and stakeholder engagement should be planned strategically and involve appropriate techniques on a 'fitness for purpose basis', ranging from providing information through to full decision making.  There is no one right way.

• SRA are often called in by organisations to manage consultation for controversial policy areas such as road building or waste management. 

• Work is conducted with stakeholders and the public to develop civic decisions rather than verdicts based on individual self interest.

• SRA are also well known for our work in engaging so called 'hard to reach' groups, including people with disabilities, minority ethnic groups, people with learning difficulties and children.