Ten projects and three individuals from across the region were celebrated at an awards ceremony in Birmingham.
A project demonstrating excellent teamwork has been recognised at the 2023 ICE West Midlands Awards with a double win consisting of the Geotechnical Award and the Team Achievement Award.
Coventry Station – submitted by Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd, Coventry City Council and Network Rail – impressed the judges with its teamwork, which resulted in minimal disruption to passengers during the works which were delivered on time.
It wasn’t the only project to take home two awards that evening.
SAS Bridge Reconstruction in Birmingham won the Large Project Award, as well as taking home the coveted Overall Project Award.
Skanska and Network Rail delivered a striking new addition to Birmingham’s skyline over the existing railway network, using precast elements, near site construction and effective construction methodology.
This year’s ICE West Midlands Awards attracted attendees both from within the sector and the wider business community.
The annual awards, held in central Birmingham, celebrate the achievements of both individual civil engineers and projects across the region.
Ten awards were presented to the teams that delivered the best civil engineering projects in the region and three awards were given to individuals in recognition for their significant contributions to the profession.
Small and medium projects
The Small Project Award was given to the longest ever box slide, designed by Freyssinet Ltd for HS2.
Freyssinet designed and built the box slide to move a 12,600-tonne bridge into place over the M42 motorway in Warwickshire.
The Medium Project Award was won by the Fillongley Road Bridge, delivered by Balfour Beatty for Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and SCAPE.
The refurbishment and reinforcement of the 1950s bridge involved its partial demolition to allow the new composite structure to be built in situ.
A sustainable future
The Sustainability Award was given to Jackson Civil Engineering and the Environment Agency for their collaborative efforts on their Bromford Cycle Path in Birmingham project.
The judges were impressed with the use of low carbon asphalt in future projects, while providing access to sustainable travel options for locals.
Innovation Award
The Innovation award went to Network Rail’s FLOW Bridge, installed close to Craven Arms in Shropshire.
The innovative, modular footbridge was designed by Knight Architects and built by partners Sui Generis, KS Composites, Foflo, Jacobs, J T Consulting, Q-Railing UK, Insensys Ltd and Balfour Beatty for Network Rail.
Communication Award
Sutherland Road Flood Alleviation Scheme, in Cheslyn Hay, Staffordshire won the Communication Award.
Delivered by Mott Macdonald Bentley for Severn Trent Water, 21 homes are no longer at risk of flooding thanks to this project.
Inspiring future generations
The Education and Inspiration Award winner was the M6 Junction 10 Improvements project.
An integral element of the project was the innovative ‘accessible learning for all’ programme that encouraged engagement with schools, colleges and universities.
The project was delivered by John Sisk & Son, Capita Pell Frischmann Design joint venture for National Highways and Walsall Council.
Heritage Award
The Chetwynd Heritage Bridge Revival won the Heritage Award.
Delivered by Amey, Currall Lewis and Martin Construction for Staffordshire County Council, the bridge built in 1824 was on English Heritage’s ‘At Risk’ register.
Following completion of the refurbishment, the bridge’s future has been secured.
People awards
The People Awards celebrate individual civil engineers who have made an outstanding contribution in the region.
Elliott David Webb, Arup, took home the Young Achiever Award.
Active in the Early Careers Network, Webb helped introduce voting rights for graduate members, driving change for the benefit of current and future civil engineers.
Sophie Corr, also from Arup, was named Technician of the Year.
Rose Rees, head of engagement and skills at the Midland Metro Alliance, won the prestigious Bob Dunn Award.
Rees has been instrumental in designing a trailblazer level two apprenticeship scheme designed specifically for the tramway construction industry, offering a much-needed entry-level training programme requiring no prior qualifications.
The inclusive apprenticeship scheme has enabled local unemployed people the opportunity to get a foot on the career ladder within civil engineering.
ICE East and West Midlands regional director, Jo Barnett, said the awards were an opportunity to celebrate the day-to-day impact of civil engineering.
“Our annual awards play an important role in not only demonstrating the importance of our civil engineers, whose hard work and dedication can often go unnoticed, but also in celebrating the positive impact that civil engineering has on our everyday lives,” she said.
