Top engineering prize for railway line sea wall

THE new section of sea wall protecting the railway mainline at Dawlish has won a prize at the South West’s most prestigious civil engineering event.

The winners of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) South West Civil Engineering Awards 2021 in association with Kier BAM were announced by Rob Bell, TV presenter and engineer, on Thursday 30 September at a gala ceremony in the Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel.

Marine Parade, a 350m length of sea wall and improved promenade, which is part of the South West Rail Resilience Programme, won the Project over £8m Re-engineered Award, sponsored by Alun Griffiths. The judging panel praised the innovative solutions employed in the project and the inclusivity of the design. It’s the first part of the ongoing works to protect the railway connecting Devon with London following devasting storm damage in 2014.

Ten projects from Cornwall to Gloucestershire were vying to walk away with an award after a year that has seen civil engineers battle to overcome the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, keeping complex infrastructure works on track or delivering emergency schemes at breakneck speed.

Mike Gallop, Network Rail Western route director and Chair of the judging panel, said: “These awards are an amazing showcase for our regional industry, highlighting the endeavour, passion and technical ability that goes into building things. But more than that, the awards shine a light on what infrastructure can do for people. It’s this human impact that has really defined the awards this year.”

The Collaboration Award, sponsored by Atkins, was presented to the NHS Nightingale Hospital Exeter. The judges said the scheme, which turned a former DIY store into a 116bed healthcare facility in just 57 days, showed how extraordinary things can be achieved by working together.

The Box in Plymouth, the region’s biggest multi-disciplinary arts and heritage space, won the highly-coveted Showcase Award.

Young engineers were also recognised at the awards event. Katie Lawson, a civil engineering apprentice with Cormac Solutions in Cornwall won the Apprentice of the Year Award, sponsored by Tony Gee and Partners. Alex Kaye, a Transport Planner with Arup in Bristol, was presented with the Graduate of the Year Award, sponsored by WSP, with Sally Ameen of Richter, based in Exeter, was highly commended in the same category.

Miranda Housden, ICE South West Regional Director, said: “Our awards are a real tribute to the thousands of civil engineers who continue to bring huge societal benefits to people in the South West.”

■ Full details of all the shortlisted projects and awards sponsors are available at ice.org.uk/sw/awards.