Vote to decide South West’s best as transport and flood schemes make shortlist

Voting is now open for the 2026 ICE South West People’s Choice Award.

This year’s shortlist demonstrates the vital role civil engineering plays in connecting communities, protecting homes and businesses and supporting sustainable growth for south-west England.

From Cornwall in the west to Wiltshire in the east, the final selection represents the breadth of engineering impact and innovation across the region. This includes nationally significant projects on a grand scale as well as smaller, community schemes making a big difference for local neighbourhoods.

The 12 shortlisted projects will now go forward to an online public vote to determine the outcome of the award.

Vote for your favourite project

Why vote: involving people in regional infrastructure

Recent research on regional public attitudes to infrastructure by the ICE and the South West Infrastructure Partnership highlights the importance of listening more closely to public priorities and finding better ways to engage them in regional infrastructure.

And, a new UK poll for the ICE further highlights the problem of people not feeling included, considered or listened to when infrastructure is planned, funded and delivered.

Miranda Housden, regional director, ICE South West, said: “This vote is a creative way of raising awareness and involving people in regional infrastructure, enabling the public to decide which projects matter most to them as daily users.

“By taking part, people can discover more about the role infrastructure plays in creating a thriving region and have the satisfaction of knowing that what they value is being recognised and celebrated.”

Flooding and transport lead the shortlist

Projects aimed at improving climate resilience and public transport are strongly represented in this year’s shortlist.

The selection includes the enabling works for the Bridgwater Tidal Barrier, which will protect 12,800 homes and businesses in Somerset when completed.

Also shortlisted is Salisbury River Park, a project combining flood defences, nature restoration and urban regeneration as part of the response to the Novichok poisoning incident in 2018.

Regional connectivity also plays a major role within the shortlist.

Projects include the new Bristol Airport Public Transport Interchange, which is helping to transform public access at the region’s busiest international gateway.

Also featured is the Newquay Strategic Route, a project improving transport links to Nansledan, the community developed by the Duchy of Cornwall and inspired by the vision of King Charles.

A relatively new concept for the UK also makes the shortlist: a network of mobility hubs across three locations in Bristol. These bring together shared, public and active travel options on a single accessible site to improve journey connections and meet local needs.

Cast your vote

The winner of the South West People’s Choice Award will be announced at the ICE South West Civil Engineering Awards 2026, in association with Griffiths, on 12 November 2026 in Bristol.

A panel of high-profile judges will visit all the shortlisted projects before deciding the other project categories.

The awards scheme also includes nominations for the ICE South West Apprentice and Graduate of the Year, with nine early career professionals in contention this year.

Vote for your favourite project

The ICE South West People's Choice Award is sponsored by AECOM.