Awards

Dearne Reach Integrated Constructed Wetland

This project saw the development of a 4.3 hectare wetland designed to improve water quality in the River Dearne.

The largest integrated constructed wetland (ICW) in the UK, Dearne Reach ICW is now a case study for the Environment Agency’s approach to low-carbon, nature-based solutions to stormwater management and water quality improvement.

Over 350,000 wetland plants mindfully placed across 7 football pitches worth of land space allowed the team to pioneer a new approach harnessing the power of natural pollutant removal processes such as sedimentation, filtration, and biological uptake.

The judges described the project as an exemplar for using nature-based solutions to respond to water challenges while delivering enhanced biodiversity and catchment-wide water quality benefits.

Involved parties:

• Yorkshire Water
• Mott MacDonald Bentley
• Stantec

Copley Flood Alleviation Scheme

Copley Flood Alleviation Scheme (FAS) demonstrates the effectiveness of focusing on the impact that engineering work can have on a community.

Through careful attention to health and safety, local impact, and sustainability, the project team created a project with the community at its centre.

By proactively engaging early with the community, the team was able to introduce measures to minimise disruption and reduce impact.

The project team aimed to reduce embodied carbon by 40%, ultimately achieving an 83% reduction through innovative solutions identified by the Environment Agency’s Decarbonisation Technology Acceleration programme.

By hiring local workers, recycling stone extracted from piling, and using innovative, low-carbon approaches, the team embedded decarbonisation and local impact into their work.

The judges described the project as “a worthy winner of this award.”

Involved parties:

• Environment Agency
• Arup
• BAM Nuttall
• Bam Ritchies
• AEG
• SPS
• Ritcher
• Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council

Fore Gill Bridge Rebuild Scheme

When Fore Gill Bridge collapsed on New Year’s Day 2023, emergency works had to begin to ensure that the people of the local Arkle Town retained access to the vital transport link.

Work was stalled when temporary stabilising works revealed a series of unmaintained arches hidden underneath the bridge and extra care had to be taken to ensure structural stability.

When key stakeholders requested that the bridge be rebuilt like-for-like, the team rose to the challenge of creating a bridge that preserved the cultural heritage of the area and adhered to modern safety standards, while enabling access to the community throughout.

What resulted what a project the judges described as “an excellent example of heritage sensitive engineering at pace.”

• North Yorkshire Council
• CR Reynolds Ltd
• MGF

Holliness Nyika

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 to secure work experience, Holliness aimed to ensure access to more work experience opportunities that are both accessible and impactful.

Holliness will now be entered into the national competition for STEM Ambassador of the Year.

Martyn Priestley

Judges felt that Martyn Priestley fully embraced the spirit of the award in his approach to civil engineering.

Martyn demonstrated cultural awareness across the vibrant 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 supported colleagues to integrate FIR into the rhythm of their work championing inclusion as a priority rather than a tick-box exercise.

Killinghall Sewage Treatment Works WINEP Compliance

Killinghall Sewage Treatment Works WINEP Compliance won the Net Zero Award which is presented to schemes that set new standards in lowering the carbon footprint of our projects in Yorkshire and Humber.

The scheme delivered for Yorkshire Water by Mott MacDonald Bentley had sustainable development and environmental responsibility at its heart.

The judges said that the project team’s approach to addressing carbon reduction in infrastructure was noteworthy as well as improving water quality in the River Nidd.

The judges were impressed by the way the reduced carbon footprint was achieved through applying the principles of PAS2080, rethinking the process and repurposing existing infrastructure resulting in a reduction in embodied carbon by 53%.

Sheffield Active Travel: Championing ED&I in Active Travel 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 engagement of the local community at its heart.

They were impressed by the systematic and inclusive approach to, and delivery of, the study to ensure the opinions of the whole community could be considered when devising the city’s approach to cycling and walking.

TRU - East of Leeds Osmondthorpe Lane Underbridge

The winner of the Smeaton Award was TRU - East of Leeds Osmondthorpe Lane Underbridge 18m 0682yds / TRUe ch 29592m by Transpennine Route Upgrade, SYSTRA, J Murphy and Sons Ltd., Volker Rail and Siemens.

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

The project’s approach to sustainability and carbon measurement and reduction was commended by the judges plus the approach to community engagement along the 700m long route that the old and new bridges took to and from the site compound.

They felt the Osmondthorpe railway bridge replacement to be a worthy winner of the Smeaton Award 2025 in a close field of excellent entries.

Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme Phase 2

Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme Phase 2 (LFAS2) was presented with the Centenary Award, for large projects costing over £5 million.

LFAS2, led by Leeds City Council in partnership with the Environment Agency and delivery partners Bam Nuttall and Mott MacDonald (BMMJV) constructed flood defences to provide one-in-200-year level of protection plus climate change allowance against flooding on the River Aire.

This complex and extensive project provides flood resilience to over 1870 homes & businesses and unlocks land for the city’s growth.

The judges were impressed by the variety and quality of the different solutions in achieving the 1 in 200 year standard of protection, examples of carbon measurement and saving, innovations and the project’s social value contributions as well as achieving an Excellent rating under the BREEAM assessment.

Holderness Drain Flood Alleviation Scheme

Holderness Drain Flood Alleviation Scheme (FAS) was presented with a Certificate of Excellence in the Centenary Award category.

The scheme, delivered by JBA Bentley, JBA Consulting and Callsafe for the Environment Agency comprised of two working areas - a new 10m³/_s ‘online’ pumping station at East Hull, and a flood storage area at Castlehill. Holderness Drain is the sole outfall for a 238km² drainage catchment and backs ups twice each day when it becomes tide-locked by the river Humber.

The judges felt that this was an excellent project that aims to provide further protection to the city of Hull which suffered catastrophically from flooding in 2007. The judges commented upon the quality of the design and complexity of the construction, with an on-line ten cumecs pumping station being built in the drain while allowing the drain to function.

The addition of the Castlehill Aqua Green was a great example of integrating a blue-green solution to reduce the impact of rainfall on the catchment and also providing a social space for the local community.

Don Regulators – Meadowgate

Don Regulators – Meadowgate, delivered by JBA and JN Bentley for the Environment Agency was awarded a Certificate of Excellence in the Smeaton Award category.

This project demonstrated an innovative approach to securing fish passage while upgrading the flood control gate at this structure that is key to securing enhanced flood protection for communities in South Yorkshire.

The judges were impressed by the design approach of the replacement of a bottom hinged regulator gate with a top down, vertical control gate that was one component of this and together with an innovative fish pass solution involving large precast tiles ensures the effective control of flood flows on this flashy river.

The extensive temporary works during construction were also noteworthy, with the 12 cumecs bypass syphon saving considerable energy as well as ensuring a dry and safe working area for the permanent works.

STEM Ambassador of the Year Award

Samuel is a civil engineer (Geotechnics) at Mott MacDonald and impressed the judges with the level and breadth of activity he has undertaken to inspire the next generation of civil engineers.