A project which has seen the Droitwich canal network brought back into productive use after a 40-year effort by campaigners was the big winner at the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) West Midlands awards.
The awards – which celebrate the best in civil engineering projects across the West Midlands – were attended by more than 300 engineering professionals.
The Droitwich Canals Restoration project was undertaken by British Waterways and involved the creation of a linear park centred on the restored Droitwich Canals, conserving and enhancing the natural and built environment.
The canals were reopened in July 2011, marking the end of a 38-year fundraising drive to restore the lost canals.
In addition to the Conservation award, the project was also viewed by the judges to be the best overall scheme. Prizes were also presented to the partners, led by Amey on behalf of the Highways Agency, involved in the maintenance of the Midland Links Motorway Viaducts, a total of 1,300 reinforced concrete supports on the M5 and M6 throughout the West Midlands who won the Innovation prize for a groundbreaking alignment bolt.
Severn Trent Water’s One Supply Chain West Non-Infrastructure project to deliver water and wastewater treatment schemes received the Partnership award while the Sustainability award was shared between the development of Dawley & Mainslee in Telford and a road sweepings recycling scheme led by Warwickshire County Council, both of which have helped local authorities make significant cost savings.
And the Association of Geotechnical & Geoenvironmental Specialists’ data project was the recipient of the Team Achievement award with a project to strengthen and refurbish the Holt Fleet Bridge in Worcestershire won the Heritage Award.
Alastair Templeton, chairman of ICE West Midlands, said: “This year’s awards show the diversity of the work delivered by civil engineers in our region. From bringing disused sites back into use – such as the Droitwich Canals and Dawley and Mainslee projects – to wide-ranging maintenance and recycling schemes, the work of civil engineers is helping society tackle challenges.
“These awards have been an opportunity to recognise the contribution they make to society and I would like to congratulate all of the winners and highly commended projects for the manner in which, in a number of ways, they showed excellence in civil engineering.”
* The ICE West Midlands Awards 2012 winners
* Conservation Award and Overall Winner – Droitwich Canals Restoration – British Waterways with Wychavon District Council, Worcestershire County Council, The Waterways Trust and Droitwich Canal Trust
* Sustainability Award – shared by Dawsley & Mainslee Regeneration project – Telford & Wrekin Council with Birse Civils – and Recycling of Road Sweepings – Warwickshire County Council working with SITA
* Team Achievement Award – AGS Data Management Committee project – Association of Geotechnical & Geoenvironmental Specialists
* Heritage Award – Holt Fleet Bridge Strengthening & Refurbishment – Worcestershire County Council with Halcrow and Volkeraser
* Partnership Award – One Supply Chain West Non-Infrastructure – Severn Trent Water with Mott Mac-Donald Bentley Ltd and Hyder Aecom JV
* Innovation Award – Midlands Links Alignment Bolt – Amey with R&C Williams
