Civil Engineering Awards

Colonnade to Coastguards Sea Wall

In an era of rising sea levels and increasingly severe weather events, a robust, long-term solution was required to safeguard the railway and the town of Dawlish in Devon. BAM was awarded the contract by Network Rail to complete the 415m second phase of the sea wall, including improvements at Dawlish station, a new Colonnade Viaduct pedestrian bridge over Dawlish Water, and the spillway carrying the river to the beach.

The location between the railway and the sea was a particular challenge, with access through a 2.4m clearance underpass and 3–4-hour tidal windows with high ranges. The innovative approach developed by BAM and designer Tony Gee used lessons learned from Phase 1. An eight-legged, jack-up barge called a WaveWalker was used to walk along the seabed installing piles.

The scheme used bespoke low carbon concrete to reinforce the sea wall, reducing carbon by two thirds. The project team worked with the community, holding regular town and beach litter picks, responding quickly to any concerns from local people, and sharing popular progress videos, some with more than 1.5m views. Beyond flood protection, the project provides full accessibility to the seafront and the new sea wall, while acknowledging the history of the town through design details.

Prior Park Landscape Garden, Dam & Pond Restoration Works

Prior Park is a Grade 1 Registered Park and Garden in the English Landscape style, influenced by Alexander Pope and ‘Capability’ Brown. In 1994 it was gifted to the National Trust which has sought to return the garden to its original 1764 state, at the time of creator Ralph Allen’s death. This project consists of various works to the Middle Dam, Lower Dam, the stilling pond, and the historic landscape restoration.

The original ponds were constructed using an earthfall embankment to retain the lower and middle ponds with elements of Bath stone masonry walls. A major cause of the damage to the embankments was the introduction of the American Signal Crayfish, now classed as an invasive species. Critical to project success was the original design philosophy to reuse as much original earth fill material as possible.

In particular, the middle dam required considerable sections of material to be removed leaving little of the existing structure untouched, while retaining as much of the original masonry work where possible. During all phases, the garden was open to the public with restricted access. Crucially, the Palladian Bridge was kept open at all times. Improved accessibility with additional footpaths and creation of a more authentic sweeping lawn down to the lakes has opened up more of the garden for visitors.

Weymouth Station Gateway

The redesign of the space in front of the station was driven by the desire to reduce anti-social behaviour and enhance the attractiveness of the area to help support local communities and provide an economic boost to the town, transforming first impressions of Weymouth in Dorset. The project also presented the opportunity to reimagine user journeys to, from and around the station area, with the chance to improve connections for sustainable travel.

An improved layout now offers a safe space for anyone using the forecourt area or accessing the station building and platforms. The new open space can host pop-up events and stalls, creating economic opportunities. The creation of Pocket Park from a disused section of track provides a safer, more attractive pathway through to the nearby retail park. Visible heritage rails have been retained in the park and the surfacing is permeable, funneling water towards the planted areas.

The project has secured improved bus links into the station forecourt and a new one-way anti-clockwise traffic flow and clearer active travel routes provide a more efficient and safer route for pedestrians and cyclists. New secure bicycle storage has been added. A reduction in anti-social behaviour has been recorded since the completion of the scheme.

Hinkley Marine Works – Placement of the HPC Heads in the Bristol Channel

The main cooling water supply for the new power station will be fed from four intake heads which are located on the seabed approximately 3.5km offshore in the Bristol channel. The cooling water is then returned via two outfall heads approximately 1.8k offshore. Through dedicated engineering expertise, relentless collaboration, mutual trust and cooperation, the project team overcame the many challenges of working in the world’s second highest tidal range to safely place all six heads on the seabed.

The installation was carried out by two heavy lift vessels operating in a head-to-head configuration, which had never been done before for loads of this size. After the lifting phase, 55,000 tonnes of locking, filter material was placed around the heads using 62 barge transits in 61 days. The heads are located within a marine worm habitat, and to avoid damage, these areas were mapped onto the navigation systems of all vessels.

The project marks another milestone in the construction of the UK’s first new nuclear power station for 20 years, which will make a major contribution to reducing the nation’s carbon emissions. Strong emphasis has been placed on leaving a positive impact for the local community through delivering educational experiences to young people, encouraging them to explore the world of STEM and offering employment opportunities.

Severn Estuary Resilience – Project Phase 1

The Newport-Gloucester railway serves South Wales and the West of England, transporting passengers and providing an important freight link with trains carrying crucial goods and materials for businesses and industry. But due to extreme weather the route has experienced many landslips in recent years, with seven major incidents recorded between 2018-2021.

This led to extended closures, temporary speed restrictions and delays to more than 200,000 trains. Network Rail has embarked on a £25m investment scheme to protect the line. In the first intensive phase of the programme, during a temporary closure in summer 2022, more than 15,000 tonnes of material was removed within the three-mile extent of a steep cutting near Lydney in Gloucestershire. Teams on ropes installed a mesh and bolt system on the slopes to stabilise the cliff face and prevent landslips from affecting the track below.

Around 27,000 square metres of mesh was secured by 770 rock bolts. As part of the scheme, vegetation works were completed proactively to minimise the impact on protected species in the area. The site presented many challenges including difficult access, large earthwork cuttings and completing the works during adverse 35-degree heat conditions. Carbon efficiency was improved by deploying 100% solar power lighting and cabins.

Durley Chine Environmental Hub

Having secured £2.4m from the Coastal Communities Fund to create a public education space, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council enlisted the help of WSP to ensure that the project used the latest innovative low carbon techniques. Located at Durley Chine, one of Bournemouth’s internationally recognised Blue Flag beaches, the new hub has a low embodied energy construction and is net zero in operation.

The scheme has 172kg CO₂e/m² of embodied carbon achieving an A+ rating with 100% of forecasted regulated energy loads achieved by onsite photovoltaic panels. The centre is highly insulated, Passivhaus certified, and timber framed. Working in partnership with Footprint Architects, WSP identified innovative ways to use old timber groynes from the beach, locally reclaimed materials, and recycled wood from an old submarine base.

There are three buildings united by a green roof, planted with vegetation complementary to the nearby cliffs where goats graze as part of a biodiversity improvement initiative. The hub will be developed in harmony with the community and adapt continually to environmental change, providing a focus for work with local charities and education establishments to introduce eco-friendly interactive exhibitions and engage the public in sustainability.

Forder Valley Link Road

Connecting the congested A38 with major employment and housing sites, a regional hospital, and a university in the north of Plymouth, the new road is one of the largest schemes ever constructed in the city. This highly complex project for Plymouth City Council, undertaken by main contractor, Balfour Beatty, was achieved through a truly collaborative partnership.

Optioneering, 3D-modelling and carbon reduction strategies generated cost and time savings, while boosting the local economy, with £10m of added social value. A 140m integral bridge was constructed over the Bircham Valley, utilising 35m long precast concrete beams. This approach improved maintenance and whole life costs, as integral bridges have no bearings, adding a design life of 120 years.

Extensive consultation and information events enabled the project team to work collaboratively with the local community, resulting in strong public engagement and support. Delivered on time and under budget, the project includes one kilometre of road and a larger, relocated, signalised junction. Non-road users were at the heart of the design, with wide cycle lanes and priority throughout.

Built with nature in mind, over 14,500 trees were planted, promoting biodiversity gain of 5%. New retention and wildlife ponds also added resilience against future flood risk.