Civil Engineering Awards

Avonmouth and Severnside Ecology Mitigation and Flood Defence Project

The project spans 17km along the Severn Estuary from Aust in South Gloucestershire to Shirehampton in Bristol. The area is at risk of tidal flooding, which will increase with sea level rise.

The new works include 5850m of raised earth embankments, 2500m of sheet piled walls, 600m of in situ reinforced concrete walls, 2300m of precast reinforced concrete walls and eight improved outfalls along the estuary.

Over 80 hectares of new wetland has been created, equivalent of 112 football pitches. This new habitat provides ecological mitigation to ensure that economic development does not adversely affect the area’s internationally important wildlife species.

Over 2,500 homes and businesses will benefit from this project, mitigating the impact of sea level rise for at least the next 60 years. By enabling new commercial development, the scheme will unlock 12,000 new jobs and deliver an estimated £3.9bn of economic benefits in the local area.

Project cost

• £100m

Key project partners

• South Gloucestershire Council
• Bristol City Council
• Environment Agency
• BAM Nuttall Mott MacDonald JV

Lower Otter Restoration Project

The community and ecosystem of the Lower Otter Estuary in East Devon faced growing challenges due to sea level rise and extreme storms, driven by climate change. Human modification of the estuary had disrupted nature and created an unsustainable system that was unable to adapt.

Working with local people and partners, the project reinstated natural processes, including reconnecting the river, estuary and floodplain, and delivering a more sustainable landscape, rich in wildlife. Infrastructure such as roads, footpaths, water company assets and cricket facilities, were relocated out of the flood plain or adapted.

The project has created 55 hectares of internationally important saltmarsh and mudflat habitat by reconnecting the river to its historic floodplain, benefitting wildlife and the local community.

Just months after opening, the site has been designated as a National Nature Reserve.

Project cost

• £27m

Key project partners

• Environment Agency
• Clinton Devon Estates
• Jacobs
• Kier

Portway Park and Ride Station

Portway is the first new train station in Bristol for 96 years. It aims to support growth for Bristol and the wider region by improving access to Avonmouth and Temple Quarter Enterprise Zones, where 31,000 jobs are expected to be created in the coming years.

The project is a trailblazer in rail construction using innovative design and delivery methodology. Use of a trackside crane from the adjacent car park meant precast concrete units were each lifted into position in under 5 minutes, allowing for efficiency and reduced disruption.

Many materials were procured locally, and by-products were reused in and around the station footprint. Biodiversity was a key consideration with bat boxes to encourage wildlife and investment in the latest station lighting that automatically dims out of hours.

The new station offers an additional transport option for 9,000 people working in the surrounding area. Free parking, low-cost fares and frequent direct services to Bristol city centre make it an attractive option for commuters and families. More than 33,000 journeys have been made from the station since opening, meaning fewer cars and lower carbon.

Project cost

• £5.8m

Key project partners

• Network Rail
• West of England Authority
• Bristol City Council
• Dyer & Butler

Saints Trails Project: Perranporth to Goonhavern

Abandoned railway lines dating back to Cornwall’s mining past are being transformed into a network of paths, linking the coastline with Truro, for walkers, horse riders and cyclists.

The project used eco-friendly materials and landscaping techniques to reduce environmental impacts and enhance biodiversity, including 2km of 'no dig' construction, from Cocks Village to Goonhavern, to preserve the historic rail ballast, minimising ecosystem disruption. The scheme also included two new bridges.

The Saints Trails network is one of the largest ever cycling infrastructure investments in the South West. It preserves Cornish heritage, boosts local economies, attracts tourists, and provides new business opportunities.

Locals and visitors can enjoy the benefits of safer travel across a beautiful part of Cornwall, which includes the former Perranporth to Chacewater railway line.

Project cost

• £7.1m

Key project partners

• Cornwall Council
• Cormac Solutions Ltd
• Tazika
• CEC
• CTS Bridges

Apprentice of the Year

Ella Blakeley, section engineer with Balfour Beatty, is the 2024 winner of the award, sponsored by Tony Gee and Partners.

Ella, who works at Hinkley Point C, impressed the judges with her significant commitment to raising the profile of apprenticeships.

She has championed early career civil engineers and brought together a network of 250 young people to collaborate on equality diversity and learning.

Ella has given so much back to the profession while working on highly complex, demanding schemes, alongside completing her EngTech assessment.

Young Achiever of the Year Award

Civil engineer at Arup, Chloe Taylor, took top honours at the 2024 awards ceremony.

The prize, sponsored by WSP, celebrates the achievements of graduate members in the South West region.

The judges recognised Chloe's passion for digital technologies and how she is using her significant skills in the field to improve effectiveness and streamline workflow.

They praised her contribution to her team and efforts to promote the profession.

STEM Ambassador of the Year Award

The STEM Ambassador of the Year award celebrates those volunteers who regularly give their time to inspire the next generation.

ICE STEM ambassadors are ICE members who engage and inspire young people towards a career in civil engineering through school visits, careers talks, and hands-on activities.

ICE South West's winner this year is Rachel Hayden:

“Being an ICE STEM ambassador has been incredibly rewarding, introducing students across the South West and the UK to the amazing world of civil engineering.

“If it wasn’t for STEM ambassadors coming into my own school when I was 16 to run a pasta bridge competition, I might never have known about civil engineering, let alone be the civil engineer I am today.

“It feels good to be able to continue their work and introduce other young people to our industry.”