The largest ever publicly funded coastal defence scheme and the UK’s first commercial scale anaerobic digestion plant to power a city’s main sewage treatment works are among winners taking home highly revered Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Awards this year.

The awards, which celebrate excellence in civil engineering and endeavor to promote those who have demonstrated a high level commitment to the profession, were held today at the ICE headquarters in Westminster.

They were presented by ICE president Peter Hansford for dedicated service to the Institution and the profession.

Hansford said that it was an honour to present the awards, which highlight the significant contribution to society of civil engineering.

“As civil engineers we have a responsibility to use our experience, expertise and knowledge to best serve the needs of society, providing sustainable infrastructure now and for the changing future,” Hansford said. “Those who are receiving awards today should take extreme pride in their achievement. They succeeded not only in excelling in their chosen profession but also in contributing to communities here and abroad, driving sustainability and showcasing the true contribution of civil engineering to society.”

“Some of the superb work of the recipients included the construction of an innovative new flood defence spanning 3.5 km in Blackpool which will protect the community from floods for years to come, and a scheme that uses the digestion of maize to power the local sewerage works. As the world changes, so must the way we plan, build and design infrastructure and the winners today are prime examples of the innovative thinking that we will need to see more of. These are significant achievements.”

The Institution Awards are as follows:

Gold Medal, recognises sustained contribution to civil engineering over many years is of sufficient magnitude and stature to merit an Institution premier award.
Winner: Adrian E Long (OBE FREng IAE PhD DSc DSc(Hon) CUL FICE FIStructE FIEI FACI)
In recognition of his significant contribution to civil engineering. Professor Long was appointed Head of Department at Queen’s University 14 years after his graduation, which is an outstanding achievement. He is an author of over 200 technical publications and also the founder of QUEST, a fund that provides scholarships to talented civil engineering students.

The Warren Medal, in recognition of an ICE member’s service to his or her region.
Awarded to:Robert James Hullis
In recognition of his significant contribution to the East of England region. Mr Hullis was integral and crucial in the amalgamation of the Anglia, Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire and Peterborough branches to form the East of England region back in 2003.

The Garth Watson Medal, awarded for dedicated and valuable service to the Institution.
Awarded to: John Denman McRobert IEng FICE MIHT
In recognition of his dedicated and valuable services to the Institution over the last 20 years both nationally and in his own region. He has played significant roles in the development and delivery of engineering education and training, including the CPD debate, which led to the formation of the CPD panel, of which Mr McRobert is a member.

Edmund Hambly Medal, for the creative design of an engineering project that makes a substantial contribution to sustainable development
Awarded to Severn Trent Plc for the Stoke Bardolph Energy Crop Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plant in Nottingham. This technology uses the digestion of maize to produce biogas. It is the UK’s first AD plant at a commercial scale to help power the city’s main sewage treatment works. Since October 2010, the plant has continued to operate reliably and by March 2011, the plant had generated 7400 MWh, well ahead of the target of 6400 MWh. More info http://waterprojectsonline.com/case_studies/2010/Severn_Trent_Stoke_Bardolph_2010.pdf

International Medal, awarded annually to a UK national civil engineer who has made an outstanding contribution to civil engineering outside the United Kingdom; or to non-UK citizen who has made an outstanding contribution to civil engineering inside the United Kingdom.
Awarded to: Ian Flower OBE BEng CEng FICE MIHT
In recognition of his significant contribution towards the Engineers for Overseas Development (EFOD) scheme. Mr Flower has been the instigator, founder and prime mover of this project, which is a sub group of ICE Wales Cymru and is designed to assist in the development and training of engineers by challenging them to under take projects to improve public health through international partnerships with local people in developing countries.

Brunel Medal, presented to individuals or firms who have shown excellence in civil engineering.
Blackpool Central Area Coast Protection Scheme, Blackpool Awarded to Blackpool Council and the engineering team responsible for the delivery of Blackpool Central Area Coast Protection scheme. It has replaced the existing coastal defence along a 3.2km stretch between Blackpool’s North and South piers with new structures designed to enhance the standard of protection again coastal flooding and erosion. This scheme is the largest ever Defra funded coastal defence project in the UK. http://www.bbcel.co.uk/capabilities/marine_river/137_central-area-coast-protection-blackpool

For more information on the awards and winners please visit