The Hirael Flood Protection Scheme, Cynllun Amddiffyn Rhag Llifogydd, in Bangor has been awarded the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Wales Cymru Award for Diversity.
The scheme is a major infrastructure project designed to defend 194 properties from extreme tidal flooding.
Funded by the Welsh Government’s Coastal Risk Management Programme and Cyngor Gwynedd, with the design and flood modelling by Ymgynghoriaeth Gwynedd Consultancy (YGC), the scheme was delivered by Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd.
Driven by the increasing flood risks caused by climate change, the scheme addresses both the immediate and long-term flood risks, offering protection for the next 50 years. Measures undertaken include a 310-metre sea wall as primary defence, up to a 1.5-metre elevation of both the promenade and roads and the installation of three flood gates to mitigate tidal surges and rising sea levels.
Public realm enhancements were also made as part of the scheme, these included a revitalised waterfront promenade, improved street furniture, upgraded lighting, wayfinding signage, and a new slipway for better access to the foreshore.
The judges praised the schemes approach to multilingual support and accessible consultation formats. Situated in Hirael, Bangor, an area where many languages are spoken, the scheme’s Liaison Officer ensured marginalised voices were heard and their views incorporated into the project.
Meanwhile, the recently completed A487 Royal Oak Culvert Replacement Scheme in Newport, Pembrokeshire, was awarded the ICE Wales Cymru Alun Griffiths Award for Community Engagement.
Commissioned by South Wales Trunk Road Agent (SWTRA) and designed by AtkinsRéalis, the replacement and straightening of the A487 Royal Oak Culvert was delivered by Tarmac.
The 10-week culvert replacement works required an eight-week full closure of the A487, representing the longest planned full trunk road closure in SWTRA’s history.
And Cass Hayward’s design of the Underbridge 27 project was awarded the ICE Wales Cymru Designed in Wales Award.
Funded by a UK Government grant from the Department of Levelling Up, The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway (KWVR), a volunteer run charity based in Haworth, worked with designers Cass Hayward to alleviate flood risk in the local area. The project ensured delivery of an all steel half through bridge supported on twelve new 15 metre long piles.
The ICE Wales Cymru Designed in Wales Award is presented to a project which has demonstrated outstanding design and construction. The project must be designed in Wales but can be delivered elsewhere in the UK or overseas.
The judges applauded the leading project team of 20 volunteers, who contributed over 6,000 hours of their time across a four-year period, in the largest successfully delivered civil engineering project of KWVR’s 62-year history.
Sponsored by Griffiths, Ocuair and Kaymac Marine Engineering the ICE Wales Cymru Annual Awards 2025 were held in Cardiff. Guests were joined by ICE Senior Vice President David Porter and guest speaker BBC Wales News anchor Jennifer Jones.
ICE Wales Cymru Regional Director, Keith Jones, said:
“Our members look forward to our annual awards each year, they are important in recognising the exceptional projects and schemes across Wales Cymru, as well as the extraordinary people behind them.
“Our judges have had many projects to consider this year from across the region. Each diverse project demonstrating the benefits that civil engineering brings to the infrastructure we all use in our daily lives, allowing us to celebrate the true impact of civil engineering across the region.”
