The Stockingfield Bridge in north Glasgow, Scotland has won the 2022 Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) People’s Choice Award.
The award is decided by a popular vote and recognises civil engineering projects that have made a positive impact on their local communities.
The two-way spanning cable-stayed pedestrian and cycle bridge opened earlier this month and took 21 months to complete at a cost of £14 million. It connects the communities of Maryhill, Gilshochill and Ruchill on either side of the Forth & Clyde Canal for the first time since 1790.
Richard Millar, Scottish Canals Chief Operating Officer, said: “We are delighted that Stockingfield Bridge has won the ICE People’s Choice Award. To win against such a strong field of projects from across the world is a huge honour for everyone involved, but this is even more special to us as it recognises the community impact of this project. We would like to thank everyone who has voted for this inspirational structure.”
Stockingfield Bridge is not only a fantastic-looking and technically complex structure - it also embodies the very idea of what a bridge is for by linking communities for the first time since the eighteenth century.
It will allow pedestrians and cyclists to cross the canal without leaving the towpath, avoiding a potentially dangerous road tunnel. It also forms the ‘missing link’ in the National Cycle Network which follows the canal towpath, offering a traffic-free route between Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Wendy Blundell, Director ICE Regions, said: “The ICE People’s Choice Award is a great opportunity to showcase outstanding civil engineering projects and for the wider public to learn more about what we do. Civil engineers are often the unsung heroes behind schemes that have a positive impact on local communities and Stockingfield Bridge is certainly one of those – linking communities again after more than 200 years. Any of our shortlisted projects would have been worthy winners and thank you to everyone who voted.”
The team behind this winning project included Transport Scotland, Sustrans, Scottish Canals, Glasgow City Council, Balfour Beatty, Scape, SH Structures, Jacobs, and Fairhurst.
ICE asked members of the public around the world to vote online for their favourite project between 6 September and 18 October 2022. The other five projects shortlisted for year’s award were:
- Lekki Deep Sea Port Project, Nigeria (ICE Africa)
- Lincoln Flood Defences, Lincoln (ICE East Midlands)
- Wolsingham Sewage Treatment Works (STW) Growth, County Durham (ICE North East)
- Seacombe Ferry Terminal Refurbishment, Wallasey, Wirral Peninsula (ICE North West)
- Marches Moses BogLIFE Project, Shropshire and Wales (ICE West Midlands)
Karen McGregor, Scotland Director at Sustrans, said: “Stockingfield Bridge is a remarkable achievement, and Sustrans is delighted to see the community impact of the project recognised with the People’s Choice Award.
“Connecting communities with safe and accessible walking, wheeling, and cycling infrastructure unlocks so many benefits for everyone living and working there. Stockingfield Bridge really demonstrates the transformative impact of investing in active travel and the value of working with our communities to make these projects a reality.”
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
Download high-resolution images of the winning project here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1llhL4jPETV1p3zREdopp5WNelQ8UP4-n?usp=sharing
Caption: The Stockingfield Bridge in Glasgow, Scotland is the winner of the 2022 ICE People’s Choice Award (Blink Imagining)
Full reaction from Scottish Canals
Richard Millar, Scottish Canals Chief Operating Officer said:
“We are delighted that Stockingfield Bridge has won the ICE People’s Choice Award. To win against such a strong field of projects from across the world is a huge honour for everyone involved, but this is even more special to us as it recognises the community impact of this project. We would like to thank everyone who has voted for this inspirational structure.
“Stockingfield Bridge was created from a shared vision to reconnect three communities divided by the Forth & Clyde Canal for over 200 years, and to deliver the final missing link in the national cycle network, providing a safer off-road route from Glasgow to Edinburgh. Not only have we achieved this, but in working closely with the local community we have addressed issues that concerned local people incorporating ideas around lighting, accessibility, and layout. We have introduced new, fully accessible, green spaces for people to explore and enjoy, knowing the health benefits safe outdoor places can bring, and we have galvanised a network of community groups and volunteers who are creating eight major public art installations for visitors now and, in the future, to enjoy.
“We would like to thank Transport Scotland, Sustrans and Glasgow City Council for funding this important project and all members of the community, who have and continue to, contribute to Stockingfield Bridge’s success.”
About the People’s Choice Award
Conceived in 2016, the People’s Choice Award is designed to show award-winning civil engineering projects to the public, with a specific focus to demonstrate the positive impact these projects make on everyday lives and communities. Every ICE regional office in the UK and internationally is asked to submit a project for the awards, which are then shortlisted by a judging panel to open to a public vote. The award has run each year since 2016, with the exception of 2020 during the pandemic.
About the Institution of Civil Engineers
Founded in 1818, the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) is a UK-based international organisation with more than 95,000 members, ranging from students to professionally qualified civil engineers. As an educational and qualifying body, with charitable status under UK law, we support our members throughout their careers, and help society to have trust and confidence in infrastructure professionals. Under our Royal Charter, ICE has become recognised worldwide for its excellence as a centre of learning, a public voice for the profession and a leading source of expertise in infrastructure and engineering policy.
