A host of North East engineering projects have been recognised at the prestigious Robert Stephenson Awards by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) in the North East.
The annual Robert Stephenson Awards celebrate civil engineering excellence in the North East. This year, the winner in the category for projects costing over £4milllion was The Crag End Landslip Stabilisation project, which provided a stable foundation for the reconstruction of a 300m section of the B6344, which was rendered impassable by a landslip in late 2012. The Morpeth Flood Alleviation Scheme, which was initiated in the wake of heavy flooding in 2008, received a commendation in the category.
The medium category, for projects costing £0.5-£4million, was won by Vinovium Shaft Works, near Bishop Auckland, which provided emergency stabilisation, and permanent water treatment measures to protect the public from pollution, in a former coal mine, following the collapse of a pumping shaft. A commendation in the category was awarded to Fellgate Surface Water Management Scheme, an engineering project in Fellgate, Jarrow. Hexham Fish Pass, constructed to allow migrating salmon pass a high weir, on their way to their upstream spawning grounds, also received a commendation.
The awards were presented by Sir John Armitt, president of the ICE, at the Institution’s North East Annual Dinner, which celebrated the institution’s 125th year in the region. The dinner was the final stop on Sir John’s visitto the region, which included meeting rail apprentices at Newcastle College and judging a schools engineering competition.
Sir John Armitt said: “It was a great pleasure to present these awards, all of the projects shortlisted represent the very best of civil engineering in the North East of England and have had a positive impact on the lives of people in the region.
Graham Yates, ICE Regional Chairman, added: “We had a fantastic evening at the ICE Annual Dinner. It was a pleasure to welcome Sir John to the region and to recognise outstanding achievements in North East civil engineering.”