Worcestershire Parkway scoops three top civil engineering awards

Worcestershire Parkway has won three top civil engineering project awards at the West Midlands Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Awards.

The project, which saw the first new station constructed in Worcestershire in over 100 years, was awarded the Geotechnical award, Large Project of the Year award and also crowned Best Overall Project.

The annual awards ceremony celebrates the best civil engineering projects, as well as highlighting those people who have contributed to promoting civil engineering across the region.  The station drew praise from ICE judges for overcoming technical challenges through a collaborative approach, engineering expertise, tenacity and determination.

Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Infrastructure, Councillor Ken Pollock, said: “Worcestershire Parkway is a culmination of years of hard work and I’m delighted that this fantastic project has been recognised at the ICE West Midlands awards. It’s an excellent example of improving connectivity to benefit the community, of which we can be proud.”

SLC Rail, specialists in making third party rail schemes happen, supported Worcestershire County Council to deliver the project.

Ian Walters, Managing Director of SLC Rail, said: “Winning this award is a testament to the hard work and passion that our people and industry partners put in to delivering this station.  “I’m extremely proud of our part in delivering Worcestershire Parkway and the lasting legacy it brings to the region.”

The new station, which opened in February this year, is now managed by Great Western Railway (GWR).

Tom Pierpoint, GWR’s Interim Business Development Director, said:  “We’re delighted Worcestershire Parkway has scooped this hat-trick of awards. We were pleased to help deliver such an impressive-looking station and it’s great to get this seal of approval from the Institution of Civil Engineers.  There’s no doubt this station will make a real difference to Worcestershire and its connectivity within the UK in the coming years.”

Worcestershire Parkway forms part of the wider £50million rail investment programme in Worcestershire and is a key part of the longer-term Worcestershire Rail Investment Strategy. The brand-new station follows improvements already made at Bromsgrove, Foregate Street in Worcester, Malvern Link and the redeveloped Kidderminster station which also opened earlier this year.

The creation of Worcestershire Parkway was led by Worcestershire County Council with support from SLC Rail.  The lead designer was Mott MacDonald and Buckingham Group Contracting Limited was the design and build contractor.

Simon Walkley, Buckingham Group, Managing Director, Rail: “We are proud to have designed and constructed Worcestershire’s 1st brand new station in more than 100 years. The station will enhance commuter connectivity and passenger experience for decades to come. Our innovative earthworks / geotechnical solution was instrumental in winning the scheme and we are delighted that this was recognised in the awards.”

Mark Alton, Mott MacDonald’s Project Director said: “It is fantastic news that Worcestershire Parkway has won a trio of awards announced by ICE West Midlands at a recent virtual awards ceremony. Mott MacDonald were appointed by Buckingham Group Contracting Limited as lead designer and were supported by our Architect Pattern Design for this regionally important transport Infrastructure project for Worcestershire County Council and the local population, to provide access to long distance trains that previously bypassed the area.”

Photo credit: SLC Rail

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