The British Construction and Infrastructure Awards (BCIA) introduced a category in honour of ICE Past President and industry leader, Sir John Armitt.
A coastal scheme protecting 10,000 homes, 700 businesses and Henry VIII’s Southsea Castle has taken home the first Sir John Armitt Prize at the British Construction and Infrastructure Awards (BCIA).
The Southsea Coastal Scheme, worth more than £185 million, stretches from Old Portsmouth to Eastney in south-east England. It’s the largest local authority-led project in the UK.
As well as installing new coastal defences such as rock revetments (designed to dissipate wave energy) and sea walls, it has created areas for the community to enjoy.
Promenades, social spaces and tiered seating have been part of frontages 4 and 5 on the project, improving views of the sea and of Henry VIII’s 1544 fortification.
The project went above and beyond to deliver not just for the client, but end users, too, and that’s what won it this new infrastructure award.
The prize is named after Sir John Armitt, ICE Past President and chair of the Council of Expert Advisors of the UK's National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).
“This project is so much more than a coastal defence scheme,” said the judges, led by Sir John.
“It has created a ‘magnetic’ destination, blending flood protection, community, environment and heritage.”
The judges highlighted that the impact of a 1- in 200-year flood would cost 10 times the value of the scheme.
The other Sir John Armitt Prize nominees:
- 76 Southbank
- A40 Eynsham Park and Ride to Wolvercote scheme
- EcoPark South
- Glasgow Resilience Project – C1a
- HMP Millsike
- National Emergency Area Retrofit (NEAR) Programme
- Preston Western Distributor Road
Sir John said: “We design to satisfy a client’s desired outcomes.
“But we must also satisfy wider stakeholders by creating buildings and infrastructure that benefit the community and provide an improved and uplifting environment.
“This award recognises a project team that exemplifies these very qualities.”
Extracted from ICE website, read more here