1-in-200-year flood protection scheme triumphs at ICE Yorkshire and Humber’s annual awards

A flooding scheme protecting over 1,870 homes and businesses has taken home the contested Centenary Award at the 2025 Yorkshire and Humber Awards.

The Centenary Award was one of four categories that 20 shortlisted projects competed for at the region’s 70th annual awards.

Guests were joined by the ICE’s 160th President Professor Jim Hall as part of his visit to the region.

The gala dinner and awards ceremony took place at the Doubletree by Hilton Hull on Thursday 13 March, the first time the awards have been held in the city.

Centenary Award (projects over £5 million), sponsored by HINKO Construction

The Centenary Award winner, the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme Phase 2 (LFAS 2), provides the community with resilience to a 1-in-200-year event.

The judges were impressed by the variety and quality of the different solutions used to achieve that standard of protection.

They also praised it for unlocking land for the city’s growth, measuring and saving carbon, and achieving an excellent rating under the BREEAM assessment.

The project was delivered by Leeds City Council, Mott MacDonald, Bam Nuttall, AECOM, Environment Agency, Network Rail and City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council.

Certificate of Excellence

• Holderness Drain Flood Alleviation Scheme (FAS)

Certificates of Commendation

• A63 Myton Moving Bridge Refurbishment
• Dewsbury Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) Upgrade Project

Smeaton Award (projects under £5 million), sponsored by Waterman Aspen

The winner of the Smeaton Award was TRU - East of Leeds Osmondthorpe Lane Underbridge (18m 0682yds / TRUe ch 29592m).

A key component of the TransPennine Route upgrade, this complex 300+ tonne bridge replacement was completed ahead of time over Christmas 2024.

The judges commended the project’s approach to sustainability and carbon measurement and reduction.

They also celebrated its approach to community engagement along the 700m-long route that the old and new bridges took to and from the site compound.

It was delivered by the Transpennine Route Upgrade, SYSTRA, J Murphy and Sons Ltd., Volker Rail and Siemens.

Certificate of excellence

• Don Regulators Meadowgate

Certificates of commendation

• Bridge 27 Renewal
• Dishforth STW P-Removal with Electrocoagulation
• Worsbrough Reservoir

Net Zero Award (projects, studies and research), sponsored by Mason Clark Associates

The winner of the Net Zero Award was Killinghall Sewage Treatment Works WINEP Compliance by Yorkshire Water, Mott MacDonald Bentley, Stantec and Hyperion Robotics.

The judges recognised the project team’s approach to addressing carbon reduction in infrastructure using the PAS 2080 standard.

Rethinking processes and repurposing existing infrastructure resulted to a cut in embodied carbon of 53%.

They also celebrated that the project improved water quality in the river Nidd.

Sir John Fowler Award (for studies and research)

The winner of the Sir John Fowler Award was Sheffield Active Travel: Championing ED&I in Active Travel Research by Sheffield City Council and SYSTRA.

The judges said this excellent research study had local community engagement at its heart.

They celebrated its systematic and inclusive method, as it ensured the opinions of the whole community could be considered when planning the city’s approach to cycling and walking.

Certificate of Commendation

• Yorkshire Water Storm Spill Reduction Programme

STEM Ambassador of the Year Award, sponsored by MHB Consultants

The STEM Ambassador of the Year Award celebrates those who aim to inspire young people to join the profession.

This year’s winner was Samuel Clarke, with Aida Yousefabadi named as highly commended.

The evening was supported by headline sponsor and Hull-based firm Spencer Group. GRAHAM sponsored a drinks reception.

The chair’s chosen charity for this year’s dinner and awards was the ICE Benevolent Fund.

Learn more about the 2025 awards