The teams responsible for the London 2012 Games transport and the Olympic/Paralympic Route Network have won one of the most prestigious engineering awards in the capital.
The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) London Civil Engineering Award for the Greatest Contribution to London, was presented to the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) team responsible for the Games transport and Transport for London (TfL) who delivered the Route Network, at a special ceremony last night (14 March).
London 2012 has been widely recognised as one of the greatest Games in history, and transport was one of the major contributors to its success. In 2010, TfL was tasked by the ODA to design, build and operate the Olympic/Paralympic Route Network ensuring it met ambitious journey time targets for 25,000 Games Family vehicles, whilst having minimal impact on London’s 23 million daily trips.
The investment and improvements made to London’s transport infrastructure not only ensured safe, reliable and efficient transport during the Games but left a lasting positive transport legacy for the capital.
ICE London Director, Miranda Housden, commented: “This project represented the biggest single traffic management scheme ever implemented in central London and is testament to how true collaboration can bring success.
“Given the complexity and time constraints of the task and the numerous organisations involved, innovative solutions and unprecedented collaborative working were essential at all levels. The Greatest Contribution to London award recognises innovation, creativity and social value whilst embedding a safety and sustainability culture – it is the highest accolade possible in civil engineering in London. Our congratulations go to all those involved.”
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson congratulated all the award winners: “Through their sterling endeavours these winners have showcased why London's civil engineers really are the envy of the world.” he said.
“The skills in helping to shape London's ever-changing landscape should not be overlooked and as Mayor of this great city I am immensely proud of all they have achieved.
“Special recognition must of course go to the teams at the Olympic Delivery Authority and Transport for London, whose terrific work on delivering the transport for the 2012 Games, including the Olympic/Paralympic Route network, made last summer’s Games such an extraordinary, smooth running success.”
The Awards judging panel was chaired by Rod Macdonald, UK Director of TSE-n Metro UK and founding partner and former chairman of Buro Happold, and included Cllr Victoria Borwick AM, the Deputy Mayor of London, and Howard Shiplee CBE, Executive Director of Laing O’Rourke.
Chair Rod Macdonald said London had benefitted enormously from the project: “This project put civil engineering right at the heart of London, bringing forward key transport infrastructure improvements that will benefit London in the long term and showing how effectively engineers can manage our road system.”
Winners in other ICE London Civil Engineering Award categories:
- Tottenham Court Road Station Upgrade Project – winner of the ICE London Civil Engineering Award for Infrastructure, sponsored by Ramboll
- The Place - winner of the ICE London Civil Engineering Award for Building
- Bankside Substation Modernisation - winner of the ICE London Civil Engineering Award for re-engineering London
- China Central Television New Headquarters, Beijing - winner of the Designed in London Award
- London Gateway – winner of a special award for its contribution to London’s economy
- The Hammersmith Flyover Strengthening Phase One – winner of a special award for emergency engineering
The ICE London Civil Engineering Awards are in association with Balfour Beatty.
Further details are available at www.ice.org.uk/londonawards