The Regency restoration project, National Botanic Garden of Wales has scooped a top prize in the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE Wales Cymru) Awards 2021.

This to add to the ICE People’s Choice Award won earlier this Autumn. Whereas the first award was voted for by the public, this award is judged by a panel of ICE civil engineers who, in this instance, took into account how the industry gives back to the community.

The Awards are held each year and recognise teams and individuals that have delivered some of the best civil engineering projects and achievements across the country. This year an exceptionally wide range of entries was received ranging from a £21m through-school building project to a £650k flood protection scheme.

The Regency restoration project, National Botanic Garden of Wales won the Alun Griffiths Award for Community Engagement. This Award is in recognition of the civil engineering industry in Wales and the work undertaken to engage with local communities whilst improving infrastructure and / or services.

There were a number of entries for this Award, but the judges were clear in their view that the restoration of the Regency garden at the National Botanic Garden of Wales was the worthy winner. They took into account the regard to the care and attention to detail that was demonstrated in the sensitive restoration. Resulting in f a remarkable collection of lakes, cascades, waterfalls, springs, bath houses, bridges and pools for the community and wider audience to enjoy.

Successfully managing a project like this required a dedicated team of specialists working closely together, as well as the many volunteers from the local community. Local historians, ecologists, archaeologists, architects, civil, structural, geotechnical and hydraulic engineers worked with environmentally aware contractors, WM Longreach to sympathetically restore the landscape.

In all fifteen projects were shortlisted across Wales and vying to walk away with an award after a year that has seen civil engineers battle to overcome the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, keeping complex infrastructure works on track or delivering emergency schemes at breakneck speed.

Young engineers representing future talent in Wales were also recognised at the awards event.  Liam Stuckey, a civil engineering apprentice with Arcadis, Cardiff won the Apprentice of the Year Award, sponsored by South Wales Institute of Engineers Educational Trust (SWIEET). Luke Cook, Atkins, won STEMM Ambassador of the Year. Robert Varley, ARUP, walked away with both the Paterson Prize for awarded to the best Welsh candidate in the final written examinations of the former Institution of Municipal Engineers and the Ben Barr Award for demonstrate excellence in their understanding of the construction process, particularly linking design to construction, presentation of engineering principles, application of planning and programming methods and organisational skills.

Keith Jones ICE Wales Cymru Director, said:

“This year’s competition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all involved to battle against many unknowns as the pandemic continues. Sustainability and communities seem to be the backbone of many entries which can only bode well for the future. Our awards are a tribute to civil engineers across the country. We congratulate the winners and thank all entrants”.

Full details of all the shortlisted projects and awards sponsors are available at www.ice.org.uk/walescymru/awards