Yorkshire & Humber Award Winners 2012 Announced
The ICE Yorkshire & Humber Awards were announced at the Awards Ceremony and Annual Gala Dinner on Friday 16 March at the Majestic Hotel in Harrogate, presented by ICE President Richard Coackley.
Centenary Award - Winner
| Leeds West Academy |
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| Originator: |
Leeds City Council via Local Education Partnership |
| Designer: |
Mott MacDonald Ltd |
| Contractor: |
Interserve Project Services Ltd |
| Architect: |
GHM Consultancy Group |
| Project Description: |
The project is part of phase 4 of the Leeds BSF programme which commenced in 2005. The development comprises construction of a £27 million new build Academy for 1,500 pupils and 200 staff on the playing fields adjacent to the existing Academy buildings. The site for the new building was terraced from the construction of playing fields, and the footprint of the new building extended outside these terraces to achieve the required area. This involved construction of cantilever and piled retaining walls in excess of 8m high and approximately 10,000m³ of bulk earthworks. The building structure itself consists of four structurally independent blocks - two steel framed, and two concrete framed. Steel frame blocks were adopted where long span open spaces were required.
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| Judges' Comments: |
The project scored highly in all the areas of criteria with one of the key areas of praise being that the appropriate solution was considered for each element rather than assuming that “one size fits all” for the site. There were a number of challenging engineering issues to deal with on this site, and the judges considered the end solutions to be appropriate in all cases. The project was successfully designed to Eurocodes ahead of the Government requirement for public funded buildings. Staged planning applications were used to ensure enabling works started on time. The site was carefully managed during construction to avoid disruption to the existing school and adjacent Primary School, and was handed over on time and within budget. The teaching staff we met were impressed with the building and more than happy that it met with their requirements.
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Smeaton Award - Winner
| Kings Cross Redevelopment Programme Design Works |
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| Originator: |
Network Rail |
| Designer: |
Tata Steel Projects |
| Contractors: |
Vinci Construction UK Ltd, Kier Construction, Carillion Plc |
| Project Description: |
To meet increasing capacity needs, the station is being remodelled. The challenge has been to work within the limits of a grade I listed Victorian train shed to deliver a station fit for the needs of the 21st century. Working for Network Rail, Tata Steel Projects was engaged to provide detailed design for: Package 2 - structural strengthening and repairs, re-glazing and lighting of the station roof. Package 3 - train shed internals includes the reconstruction of platforms 1-8, the shortening of platforms 5-8 and the design of a new footbridge which will link the new Western Concourse to platforms 1-8. Incorporated into this footbridge will be new lifts and escalators down to each of the platforms. Package 0 – New Platform 0 under the East Side Offices at Kings Cross Station.
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| Judges' Comments: |
This scheme demonstrated that close cooperation with the client is key to the success of a project. By fully understanding the needs and constraints of the client, Tata Steel Projects were able to secure further work for their design team in Yorkshire. Their ability to think ‘outside the box’ produced cost effective solutions that were implemented with little or no comment from external bodies such as the London Advisory committee. They are a credit to designers in the Region.
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Centenary Award - Certificate of Excellence
| HJB/12 Bentley Railway Intersection Bridge Reconstruction |
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| Originator: |
Network Rail |
| Designer: |
Pell Frischmann |
| Contractor: |
May Gurney |
| Steelwork Fabricator: |
Cleveland Bridge UK Ltd |
| Project Description: |
This highly skewed railway intersection bridge carries a single ballasted track of the HJB line over the twin tracks of the DOW line. Network Rail found that the original bridge was life expired and in need of replacement following routine examination. Framework Contractor May Gurney was appointed, who, together with Designer Pell Frischmann, investigated potential solutions. Following nearly three years of planning, the resulting 29m span, 70° skew bridge deck was installed within a 96 hour blockade over Christmas 2010 using a technique never previously attempted in the territory. It was delivered safely, on time and within budget, despite the team having to contend with adverse weather conditions, including heavy snow falls and extreme cold temperatures prior to and during the main possession works.
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| Judges' Comments: |
A well planned and executed scheme. We were very impressed with detailed planning process and delivery of bridge replacement during a very tight possession time and challenging weather conditions. Excellent team work was shown by all parties involved.
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| Leeds Street Lighting PFI - Lighting Improvement for the Community |
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| Originator: |
Leeds City Council |
| Designer: |
Scottish and Southern Energy Contracting |
| Contractor: |
Scottish and Southern Energy Contracting |
| Other: |
Contracted Consortium: Tay Valley Lighting (Leeds) Ltd, Consortium member and funding by: Royal Bank of Scotland plc |
| Project Description: |
The contract commenced on 3 July 2006 and has a term of 25 years. This nomination is submitted against the success of the project to complete the target of the replacement of 79,607 street lights within the first five years of the project. The programme for the lighting installation was measured against ten six-monthly milestones. Every milestone has been met and substantial completion of the replacement programme occurred within one month of the original target in July 2011. The process from design, consultation, installation, commissioning and removal of old stock has been a continuous, intense, civil engineering activity for the whole of the five years. From entering the street to install the street lights, to the removal of the old lights and complete reinstatement reached a minimum of just three days.
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| Judges' Comments: |
This was a project on a massive scale and should be commended on the success of its ‘conveyor belt’ type approach which drove efficiency. The team successfully delivered a major and logistically fraught project. There was considerable interface with the public requiring patience and skill, which was demonstrated through the low number of complaints.
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| Outwood School Footbridge Refurbishment |
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| Originator: |
Wakefield Council |
| Designer: |
Wakefield Council |
| Contractor: |
Joshua Thomas & Partners Ltd |
| Project Description: |
Outwood Grange Academy is located adjacent to the A650 Wakefield Road which is a National speed limit dual carriageway. The school's playing fields are located on the other side of the carriageway, with access provided by a footbridge. The bridge is approximately 30 years old and had suffered from dilapidation to its waterproofing and mechanical bearings due to the ingress of water. The compliant scheme involved installing an independent jacking system under the bridge to lift the deck 300mm above the existing soffit level, hydro demolition of the pier tops, reconstruction of the pier tops, the installation of new bearings at both pier and abutment locations, jacking the structure back down into place, and the removal of traffic management. Also, existing surfacing and waterproofing would be removed and replaced, and finally a new P2 handrail was to be installed.
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| Judges' Comments: |
This was a very well executed project by a young firm. The judges praised the contractors’ commitment to health and safety which resulted in an alternative solution being proposed. This solution not only halved the construction duration but ensured that all work could be undertaken in the school summer holidays, completely removing the risk of working adjacent to a working school. The project was delivered on time and on budget and has helped place the company firmly on the council's list of approved contractors.
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| Raywell Valley Flood Attenuation Scheme |
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| Originator: |
East Riding of Yorkshire Council |
| Designer: |
Mason Clark Associates |
| Contractor: |
Galliford Try Infrastructure Ltd |
| Project Description: |
Much of the flooding which saw hundreds of Cottingham residents displaced from their homes in 2007 was caused by water running off agricultural land in the Raywell Valley. This scheme has been designed to hold back 18 million litres of water in a series of terraced lagoons in the event of a flood. These lagoons are located at the side of Eppleworth and Westfield Road to the north of Castle Hill Hospital. Hydraulic modelling of the Valley was carried out and identified that 18,000 cubic meters of storage is required to cater for a 1-in-75 year event. The area is above a drinking water source protection zone one and therefore traditional surface water attenuation schemes were not feasible, instead, an innovative approach was taken of locally widening watercourses on one side of the road with a series of flow control terraces.
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| Judges' Comments: |
An excellent scheme that was very well thought out and implemented. Its beauty is in its simplicity and in value for money - no significantly complicated works, and ongoing maintenance will be limited and therefore cost effective. The project team showed an excellent commitment to the profession with public meetings and schools work. On-site work was well coordinated with pedestrian and highway improvements minimising disruption.
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| Ripon Flood Alleviation Scheme |
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| Originator: |
Environment Agency |
| Designer: |
Halcrow Group Ltd |
| Contractor: |
Interserve Construction Limited |
| Other: |
ECC PM and Cost Consultant: Arup |
| Project Description: |
Ripon has a long history of flooding dating back to 1315 and has suffered six serious flood events in the last twenty years. This £14.4 million scheme will protect 548 residential and 96 commercial properties from a 1-in-100 year flood event. The scheme involved the construction of a 400m long by 9m high earth dam upstream of Ripon on the River Laver. with a capacity to hold over 1,500,000m³ of flood water; the construction of a new low flow gauging weir and alterations to an existing iconic weir at Alma. Other civil works included the construction of reinforced protection walls to 15 vulnerable properties on Borage Lane, earth embankments, gabion gravity walls, river re-grading and highway raising works.
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| Judges' Comments: |
A well presented project which should provide a high degree of protection to properties in Ripon. The dam is impressive and it fits well within the landscape. Great consideration has been given to the requirements of residents when designing flood walls to tie in with existing buildings and garden features.
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Centenary Award - Commended
| Automatic Queue & Congestion Sign Legends at Barnsley Urban Traffic Control System |
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| Originator: |
Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council |
| Designer: |
Siemens, Consultancy Services, & IC/MOL/Traffic Solutions |
| Contractor: |
Siemens, Consultancy Services, & IC/MOL/Traffic Solutions |
| Project Description: |
This project required the total automation of traffic control 'queue' and 'congestion' legends for display on 9 signs, and is one-of-a-kind because this has not been achieved at any Urban Traffic Control (UTC) system in the UK. The project incorporated the creation of unique strategies inside the Barnsley traffic control system that would differentiate between 'queue' and 'congestion' at individual approaches to signal sites, and then automatically send these legends to the most appropriate signs. The project began in January 2011 and required an algorithm to be discovered and confirmed as being fit for purpose. The algorithm was then tested for four months in a 'virtual' mode i.e. the legends not being sent to signs, and in June 2011 all the strategies went 'live'. The timeliness and accuracy of the strategies and sign legends has been confirmed by subsequent monitoring.
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| Judges' Comments: |
This project demonstrated excellent value for money in obtaining maximum benefit from the integration of existing assets and technologies. The scheme can show demonstrable improvements to junction safety and congestion around Barnsley. The project should reduce the need for civil engineering at road intersections, reduce the need for control personnel, increase road safety and increase the speed of traffic flows.
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| The City Park, Bradford |
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| Originator: |
Bradford Metropolitan District Council |
| Designer: |
Gilespies |
| Contractor: |
Birse Civils |
| Other: |
Fountains Workshop Ltd |
| Project Description: |
A major public realm improvement scheme funded by Bradford Metropolitan District Council, Yorkshire Forward and the Regional Transport Board, which has established a vibrant public space in the heart of Bradford city centre. The City Park is a flexible space for people of all ages to enjoy, with areas for rest, play and relaxation. The park features the mirror pool, the largest city centre water feature in the UK. The pool has over 100 fountains and light, sound and mist effects - making it look different every time you see it. This unique feature is set against the backdrop of the grade I listed City Hall, and reflects and showcases the excellence in design and overall quality of the project. The pool can be easily drained to host public events for up to 10,000 people.
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| Judges' Comments: |
This project is an asset to the centre of Bradford. The City Park provides quality urban space, which is flexible with consideration to potential future uses/facilities. Engineering of a sustainable water source suggests thorough consideration of the environment. The project provided opportunities for local community interaction, work placements and apprenticeship.
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