The North West Civil Engineering Awards were announced in Chester on Friday 4 February.
North West Civil Engineering Community Award
Winner: Mab Lane DG5 flood alleviation scheme
Commissioning Authority: United Utilities
Principal Designer: GHA Livigunn
Principal Contractor: DCT
Others involved: Site Electrical Ltd
The judges commented that this project demonstrated the significant community engagement which is the hallmark of this Award. The project team fostered strong links with the local community, addressing initial negative media coverage and resulting in positive news outputs.
The end product was recognition by all parties of the value that civil engineering can bring to a community. Additionally, the judges highlighted important community focused factors, including
- a reduction in HGV movements by re-use of materials;
- community consultations and open days;
- and an extensive tree planting programme involving the community.
The judges hope this innovative scheme can be an exemplar for replication in other areas of civil engineering works.
North West Civil Engineering Large Project of the Year
Winner: Blackpool central area coast protection scheme
Commissioning Authority: Blackpool Council
Principal Designers: Halcrow Group Ltd & Blackpool Council
Principal Contractor: Birse Coastal
The judges highlighted the close partnership between Client and Landscape Architect in defining the vision. This was enhanced by Early Contractor Involvement, enabling successful delivery of this strategic project. The judges were extremely impressed with the quality of the finished product, particularly the fact that its superior design was backed up by extensive research and further enhanced by the effective use of materials.
North West Education Volunteer of the Year
Joint winners: Thomas Coon, Environment Agency and Jade Hundziak, United Utilities.
North West Mentor of the Year
Winner: Andy Fraser, Environment Agency (retired)
The judges were extremely impressed with the scope and breadth of work undertaken by this year’s winner. His work ranged from:
- being heavily involved in writing the national ICE / CIWEM training schemes for his employer;
- making a substantial contribution to setting up a special foundation degree in River and Coastal Engineering;
- working closely with and encouraging mature graduates;
- all this in addition to what we might call the normal mentoring of recent graduates and undergraduates.
In particular, the nominators highlighted the passion and enthusiasm with which he carried out this work, in addition to the enduring legacy that will remain after his retirement.
Judges
Community Award:
Phillip Hardy-Bishop, Chairman, Institution of Civil Engineers North West, Martin Stockley, Managing Director, Martin Stockley Associates & Mark Percival, Vice-President, Manchester Society of Architects.
Large Project of the Year:
Phillip Hardy-Bishop, ICE North West Regional Chairman, Phil Parker, ICE Regional Council member and Philip Simcock Civil & Structural Engineering Director, BDP.
Education Volunteer of the Year:
Paul Williams, ICE North West Regional Vice-Chair, Trevor Simm, ICE Lancashire Branch and Kevin Burke, STEMNET.
Mentor of the Year:
Peter Hallsworth, ICE North West Regional Committee, Graham Perrett, North West Mentor of the Year 2010 and Mark Brown, ICE Mentor of the Year.
Note: The North West Civil Engineering Small Project of the Year was not awarded this year.
Congratulations to the winners from ICE North West. If you would like to enter the 2012 Awards, please contact claire.pillar@ice.org.uk