Awards

Best Infrastructure Project – Small - Harlow LCWIP 9

Harlow LCWIP 9 scheme was awarded £1.954m funding from Active Travel England’s (ATE) Active Travel Fund 4.

The scheme improves 2.3km of cycle and walking network from west Harlow to the north of Harlow town centre. It links with the new North to Centre Sustainable Transport Corridor connecting to the Railway Station, Harlow Town Centre and the planned East to West Sustainable Transport Corridor.

Design development and delivery of a package of measures along the LCWIP 9 corridor. Works focused on improving connectivity between residential areas and local destinations, addressing pinch points, and improving crossing opportunities on busy roads.

Key features:

• New and upgraded controlled crossing to provide a safer and more direct route.
• Junction improvements to improve safety for people walking and cycling,
• Upgraded cycle and footway provision along priority links.

Best Infrastructure Project – Large - Canvey Island Southern Shoreline

The Thames Estuary Asset Management 2100 (TEAM2100) Integrated Delivery Team (IDT) is the partnership between the Environment Agency (EA), Jacobs and Balfour Beatty, with a 10-year programme to refurbish and replace crucial infrastructure - the tidal flood defences in London and the Thames estuary, originally built in 1953.

The £50m scheme replaces 3.2km of failing tidal revetment to safeguard >6,000 properties for the next 50 years. Without the presence of the infrastructure, Canvey Island would be submerged twice daily.

Construction focused on refurbishing and strengthening the existing defence rather than full replacement, reducing waste and disruption.

Key features:

• The scheme was the adoption of a Lean Sand Asphalt (LSA) and Open Stone Asphalt (OSA) revetment system, along use of use of CEMFREE Concrete. This system absorbs wave energy, improves long-term resilience and delivers lower whole-life carbon, compared with traditional concrete solutions. The works also included new foreshore access steps, repairs to the maintenance access route and enhancements to support long-term asset management.
• Due to the works location, significant challenge was posed by the tide. Construction was limited to a 5-hour low-tide window, coupled with seasonal restrictions dictated by local ecology and local dependence on tourism to the area. Efficient programming, collaboration and rapid construction were vital, and so the project adopted a precast, off-site construction approach.
• Community engagement: Concorde café welcome space, 4 apprentices engaged, equipment donations, STEM outreach in schools, bring your child to work day, all promote a positive narrative on otherwise disruptive works.
• Came in on time and within budget with zero defects.
• Long term sustainability: Provides at least 50 years’ protection.

Best Project – Sustainability - Cambridge City Council Operational Hub

The Cambridge Operational Hub is a strategically important public sector asset, delivering a resilient, long-term base for essential Council services at Cowley Road, Cambridge.

The project consolidates Streets and Open Spaces, Estates and Facilities operations into a single integrated site, strengthening service coordination, operational reliability and day-to-day responsiveness.

The development occupies approximately 7500m2 incorporating buildings, yards and fleet infrastructure, and providing around 979 m2 of net internal floor area.

A total of 102 parking spaces is provided for fleet vehicles, including refuse vehicles, tippers, tractors, cutters, and street sweepers. The facility opened in 2025 after a 1.5-year construction period.

Key features:

• The project’s success is evident across four themes – Fabric, Energy, Nature and Social. At the project outset, the team sought to repurpose an existing building and integrating it with a new two-storey extension, rather than pursuing wholesale demolition. This approach significantly reduced material use, environmental impact, construction waste and programme risk, while establishing a robust framework for the design.
• The operational hub is all-electric with no gas connection, supporting the Council’s ambition to reach net zero in 2030. Passive design measures including optimised orientation, high-performance insulation, daylighting, and heat recovery were embedded to reduce energy demand, manage overheating and improve comfort.
• Operational systems incorporate air-source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels, energy-efficient lighting and advanced monitoring and controls. Electric vehicle charging with future ready electrical capacity and covered cycle spaces and storages are incorporated to support low-carbon fleet transition and sustainable active travel.
• Water consumption is reduced through low-flow fittings, rainwater harvesting for irrigation and reuse of greywater for vehicle wash.
• Landscape design integrates ponds, swales, permeable surfaces, brown roofs and native planting, delivering biodiversity enhancement and long-term ecological value.