Environment awards

Warrington flood risk management

Halcrow won seven awards at the 2011 Environment Agency Project Excellence Awards which showcase projects across the flood and coastal erosion risk management sector.

The awards invite submissions from all framework contractors, consultants and Environment Agency employees who have undertaken project work on behalf of the agency.

The Blackpool Central Area Coast Protection Scheme

The Brunel Medal recognises valuable service or achievement, which has been rendered to or within the civil engineering industry.

The scheme employed innovative design and construction techniques to deliver a flagship scheme combining vital coastal protection improvements along with an enhanced seafront environment.

The scheme involved the construction of new coastal defences to the central tourist area of the town including; the iconic Blackpool Tower, historic tramway, three pleasure piers, many hotels, arcades and other tourist facilities. The coastal defence project is part of a jigsaw of schemes that form a regeneration master plan for the town.

Halcrow provided support to client Blackpool Council, through the development of the Project Appraisal Report for funding from defra. Halcrow subsequently undertook the detailed design of coastal defence elements of the scheme in advance of construction commencing in 2005, working in partnership with the selected scheme contractor, Birse Coastal and landscape architects, EDAW.

Broadland flood alleviation scheme

The Broadland flood alleviation project scooped the prestigious environmental award at the British Construction Industry Awards (BCIA), held in London. The awards are widely regarded as the industry's 'Oscars' and are the most rigorously judged awards in the construction sector.

Ten years ago the Environment Agency awarded a 20-year contract to the Halcrow/Bam Nuttall joint venture, Broadland Environmental Services Limited, to maintain and improve the flood defences in Broadland, East Anglia. The £118 million project is now nearing the end of the programme of improvement works and moving on to a maintenance phase.

Halcrow’s chief executive, Peter Gammie, was at the ceremony and commented: “The Broadlands project exemplifies the diversity of our expertise and is a testament to the commitment and talent of the Environment Agency, Bam Nuttall and Halcrow team. This win supports our stated purpose to sustain and improve the quality of people’s lives, so it’s been a great night for the project and Halcrow.”

Sandford access bridge refurbishment project, UK

These annual awards showcase the best civil engineering projects in the Thames Valley region. Judging criteria included creativity and innovation, sustainability and environmental sensitivity and benefits to the client and wider public.

The project team topped the environmental category, with an award presented by ICE president Peter Hansford.

The Sandford access bridge refurbishment project was delivered using an integrated environmental and engineering approach with the solutions protecting and enhancing the environment. The refurbishment of the 40 metre bridge took place to extend its carrying capacity from 3 to 18 tonnes. Every effort was taken to ensure the preferred solution embraced every opportunity to be sustainable, economic and safe. This project demonstrates Halcrow’s contribution to the Environment Agency’s aim of ‘Creating a better place’.

Radcot Paddle and Rymer Weir replacement project

Halcrow has won a prestigious Environment Agency exemplar award for its role in the Radcot Paddle and Rymer Weir replacement project.

The team’s efforts to improve health and safety while lessening the scheme’s environmental impact were instrumental in securing the award. Halcrow’s design sought to reduce carbon emissions by introducing cement replacements in the concrete. Fish are able to pass through the weir via a specially designed fish and canoe passage – the first in the UK. Both elements were commended by the client. Halcrow’s supervisors and environmental clerk of works also supported the contractor, Jackson Civil Engineering, during construction. Innovative ideas such as the last concrete truck removing the concrete wash-out waste, recycling concrete from the previous weir in the new structure and having a robust site waste management plan have continued to draw positive responses from the client, the lock keeper and local residents.

The area is home to a range of wildlife, including salmon, otters, badgers and grass snakes. Close monitoring of the project’s environmental impact using motion sensor cameras enabled a reactive response if construction was deemed to damage the surrounding habitats. The second construction season, will also review the impact of piling works and consider the use of bubble curtains in the river to potentially reduce the risk to fish populations.

The Pembroke Power Station Gas Pipeline: Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) Crossing of Milford Haven in Wales was commended at the 2011 Ground Engineering Awards, in the Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental UK Project over £1M category.

The project was submitted by Halcrow, RWE npower, LMR Drilling and Land & Marine Project Engineering.

In April 2009 RWE npower commissioned construction of a new £1000 million state-of-the-art 2000megawatts Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) power station at Pembroke, on the south side of Milford Haven in Wales.

A key part of the enabling works associated with the CCGT was the provision of a new 450millimetre diameter gas supply pipeline, to connect the Power Station with the national gas network on the north side of Milford Haven.

Halcrow picked up six awards from seven categories at the 2009 Environment Agency Project Excellence Awards which recognise outstanding projects undertaken on behalf of the Environment Agency. These included:

The Porter's Lock Fish/Canoe Pass - Innovation and Technical Merit Award

Stanah Sea Defenses - The Health and Safety/Managing Environmental Risk Award

Pegwell Bay to Kingsdown Strategy - Sustainable Construction/Environmental Enhancement Award

Caldew and Carlisle City Flood Alleviation Schem won the Project Management Award

River Lambourn Restoration

Halcrow’s River Lambourn Restoration in Newbury won the category, with the Grafton Lock Refurbishment in Lechlade, Highly Commended.

The awards recognise excellence in civil engineering projects completed in the last year that reflects the ICE’s global vision of: “Civil engineers at the heart of society, delivering sustainable development through knowledge, skills and professional expertise”. Judgements on engineering excellence were based on criteria such as creativity and innovation, sustainability and environmental sensitivity and benefits to the client and wider public.