Water projects dominated the 2026 ICE Yorkshire and Humber Awards as a new category celebrated fairness, inclusion and respect (FIR) in engineering.
Britain’s largest integrated constructed wetland project has been recognised for its smart use of AI and nature-based solutions to clean up the River Dearne in South Yorkshire, UK.
It took home the highly competitive Centenary Award for projects valued over £5m at the ICE Yorkshire and Humber Awards last night.
In their long-awaited return to Sheffield, the awards celebrated engineering excellence across the region, even introducing a new category to honour commitment to fairness, inclusion and respect.
Project award winners
Centenary Award
The Dearne Reach Integrated Constructed Wetland is the largest project of its kind in the UK.
Designed to improve the water quality of the Dearne, the project team set out to provide a benchmark for the use of low-carbon, nature-based solutions.
Sometimes referred to as ‘nature’s kidneys’, constructed wetlands can recreate natural processes that filter and clean wastewater.
In this case, the aim was to remove ammonia, a compound often found in domestic sewage and agricultural runoff, which is harmful to life below water.
The judges were impressed by the project’s use of digital tools and AI to optimise how the earthworks were managed.
They congratulated the team for their commitment to excellence every step of the way, from feasibility to construction.
Certificate of Excellence
The Bradford City Centre Walking and Cycling Improvement Scheme was highly commended for combining sustainability with improved public benefit.
The project transformed Bradford’s city centre, improving public transport and streamlining urban mobility by replacing congested junctions with a super crossing, public plaza, and extended green spaces.
Judges were impressed with the final result, which yielded 24% biodiversity net gain alongside social value.
Certificate of Commendation
The judges recognised Armley Gyratory with a certificate of commendation for the delivery of this major highway project in Leeds.
Smeaton Award
The Smeaton Award for projects valued under £5m went to the Fore Gill Bridge Rebuild Scheme, a complex heritage project in a challenging rural location.
After the bridge collapsed on New Year’s Eve 2023, the team was left with the task of undertaking emergency repairs and rebuilding works while maintaining access for the local community in Arkle Town, North Yorkshire.
This, coupled with the reuse of original masonry to improve sustainability and preserve character, led the judges to describe this project as “an excellent example of heritage-sensitive engineering at pace.”
Certificate of Excellence
The Otley Bridge project saw the replacement of the cantilevered walkway attached to the 800-year-old bridge in the greater Leeds area.
The team was faced with the challenge of delivering major rebuilding work in a busy and constrained town centre. The judges were impressed by their innovation and commitment to health and safety.
Certificate of Commendation
The Filey Station Refurbishment in North Yorkshire, which saw the restoration and refurbishment of a Grade II listed train station, was awarded a certificate of commendation by the judges.
The Smeaton Award was sponsored by Waterman Aspen.
Net Zero Award
The Copley Flood Alleviation Scheme in West Yorkshire took home the Net Zero Award for projects, studies and research for its low-carbon approach to delivering flood protection.
The project team aimed to cut embodied carbon by 40%, but ultimately achieved an 83% reduction through innovative solutions identified by the Environment Agency’s Decarbonisation Technology Acceleration programme.
The Net Zero Award was sponsored by Mason Clark Associates
Individual award winners
STEM Ambassador of the Year Award
Holliness Nyika took home this year’s Yorkshire and Humber STEM Ambassador of the Year Award for her commitment to opening doors for young people.
Stemming from her own struggles, Nyika set out to ensure they have access to more work experience opportunities that are accessible and impactful.
Nyika will now be entered into the national competition for STEM Ambassador of the Year.
The award was sponsored by MHB.
Highly Commended
The judges recognised Aida Yousefabadi and Amy Stevenson with a Highly Commended certificate for exemplary work inspiring the next generation of civil engineers.
Fairness, Inclusion, and Respect Impact Award
The first Fairness, Inclusion, and Respect (FIR) Impact Award was awarded to Martyn Priestley, who the judges felt fully embraced the spirit of the prize in his approach to civil engineering.
Priestley demonstrated cultural awareness across the city of Bradford – from assessing projects from the perspective of a disabled person to organising works near a mosque around prayer times to avoid disturbing moments of religious significance.
He also supported colleagues to integrate FIR into the rhythm of their work, championing inclusion as a priority rather than a tick-box exercise.
The ICE Yorkshire and Humber Awards 2026 were sponsored by SCP/RSK.
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