We were saddened to hear of the death of Professor Tony Melville Ridley, British civil engineer and former director of CILT(UK) in 1991, who passed away at the age of 92.
Tony was born in Castletown, Sunderland on 10 November 1933. He attended Durham School before graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree from Newcastle University and was later awarded a Doctor of Philosophy degree for a dissertation on the evaluation of transport investment.
Early in his career, Tony worked as a site engineer for the construction of Bradwell nuclear power station, and as a design engineer for the Nuclear Power Group of Knutsford. Later, Tony was a chief research officer for the highways and transport department of the Greater London Council and, in 1969, became the director-general of the newly founded Tyne & Wear Passenger Transport Executive where he oversaw the development of the metro plans and the successful bid for Government funding. During the 1980s Tony was chief executive officer of London Underground, and in 1986 he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
Tony was appointed as a director of CILT(UK) in 1991 and served in his role until 1993 and then again between 1999 and 2001.
Tony became Head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Imperial College London in the late 1990s and maintained his emeritus professorship in the department.
For members of the Institute who knew or worked with Tony, a memorial service will be held on Tuesday 10 November at St Margaret’s Church, Westminster Abbey, London at 12 pm to celebrate his life and legacy. Those wishing to attend can book here. If you have any questions about the service, please contact +44 (0)20 7665 2226 or by emailing events@ice.org.uk.