The restoration of one of Britain's largest lowland bogs has been crowned the region's top civil engineering project.
The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) named the work at Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses and Wem Moss, in north Shropshire, project of the year at its 2022 West Midlands Awards last night.
It had already picked up the sustainability award before being chosen from the other category winners to take home the overall crown.
Called the 'Marches Mosses BogLIFE Project', it has been delivered by WM Longreach, working with Natural England, Shropshire Wildlife Trust, Brian Killingworth, WSP and RAB Consultants.
The ICE said that, after hundreds of years of exploitation, no-one in the UK had ever tried to restore bog edge habitat on this scale.
As well as being environmentally sustainable, the project will also help the local economy by attracting visitors to the area, encouraging volunteer involvement and providing education opportunities.
Judges said that BogLIFE was an exemplar in terms of sustainability and planning for the future and therefore fully deserved the project of the year award.
The ICE Awards are held every year and presented to the best civil engineering project teams or to ground-breaking research that has been significantly completed in the West Midlands over the past 12 months.
They were presented by ICE president Ed McCann and West Midlands regional chairwoman Vicky Bache.
Midlands regional director Jo Barnett said: "Congratulations to all the project teams and individuals recognised in our awards this year.
"It was fantastic to see so many worthy nominations despite a challenging time during the pandemic for all over the last year, not least those working in infrastructure.
"Coming together in person for the first time since 2019 was really very special as it is always great to see firsthand the contribution civil engineers make to our everyday lives that we often take for granted."
The other category winners for 2022 are:
Communication
Mile End roundabout in Oswestry
Balfour Beatty and WSP, for Shropshire Council, constructed a new roundabout and junction which have relieved congestion and enabled plans for new housing and a commercial development to be brought forward. Stakeholder engagement was key to the success of the project.
Geotechnical
Reinforced soil bund at i54 Business Park, Wolverhampton
Project was delivered by Maccaferri, with partners AFS Earthmoving & Aggregates, Amey Consulting, Staffordshire and Wolverhampton councils and Amey. A planning condition of the park extension was to construct an embankment to provide a substantial landscaped screen between the extension and Pendleford Hall nature reserve.
Education and Inspiration Award
Road safety education, Shropshire
WSP, which delivered the programme on behalf of Shropshire Council, employs two road safety officers who run initiatives at primary and secondary schools.
Innovation
Phosphorus removal programme
Mott MacDonald carried out a phosphorus removal programme on behalf of Severn Trent, part of its £2 billion investment in construction projects in which the utility company is focussing on water quality schemes and the reduction of phosphorus being released into water courses.
Studies and Research
Shropshire Natural Flood Management Defra Pilot Project
Delivered by WSP working with Shropshire Council and Cardiff University, the study looked at the potential for slowing water courses and improving flood attenuation.
Team Achievement
New wetlands
Mott MacDonald Bentley delivered a series of new wetlands for Severn Trent, working collaboratively with a range of stakeholders which will improve the conditions for Cinderford Brook, Gloucestershire, and create new habitats for wildlife.
Small Project (under £2m)
Sabrina Footbridge Refurbishment
The bridge was installed in central Worcester in 1990 but needed significant repairs after three decades of use. The refurbishment was delivered by Jacobs, working with Worcestershire County Council, Alun Griffiths (Contractors) and Briton Fabricators.
Medium Project Award (£2m - £10m)
Paradise, Birmingham
Chamberlain Square is a historic public space in Birmingham city centre which was rejuvenated as part of the wider Paradise office scheme. It was delivered by Ramboll UK, with MPEC.
Large Project Award (over £10m)
Birmingham Highways Interim Works Programme
Undertaken by Birmingham Highways with Arcadis Consulting, on behalf of Birmingham City Council, the project has delivered 316 road and pavement schemes since summer 2020. The success of the programme led to additional funding to deliver further highway improvements around the city throughout 2022.
Judges' Award
Armed Forces Community Garden
Delivered by Balfour Beatty Living Places for Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, the garden in Hillfield Park was designed to help veterans and the community alike to heal in a place of peace and tranquillity. Judges praised the project for transforming a barren piece of land into a bio-diverse community garden.
Young Achiever (for under 30s)
Mahesh Mohankumar from Amey has been involved in various projects, including the construction of the Stafford Western Access Route where he took a lead in reducing CO2 on this scheme and promoted the use of alternative construction materials.
STEM Ambassador
Frances Stephens from Mott MacDonald Bentley was recognised for her work in mentoring students of all ages.
Bob Dunn Award for Outstanding Contribution
Mike Mann joined the ICE as a student in 1951 since when he rose up through the profession to become the construction director for the Midlands with Alfred McAlpine Construction.
