Awards for East of England Civil Engineering Projects

Fourteen civil engineering projects have been honoured in the ICE East of England 2010 Merit Awards.  The civil engineering 'Oscars' recognises excellence in the design and construction of projects that have delighted clients and in many cases brought benefits to the public. The Awards were presented by the ICE President Professor Paul Jowitt at the East of England annual dinner at Downing College, Cambridge on Friday 2 July.  There are three categories:

Each category is divided into projects below and above £2.5million.  Some projects were entered under more the one category making 17 entries in total, the largest number of entries ever received.  A table listing all the Awards appears at the end of this release.

The highest award is Exceptional Merit of which five were awarded – two of them to the Cobbins Brook Flood Alleviation Scheme, Waltham Abbey. 

The £6million project reduces the risk of flooding to 314 properties in Waltham Abbey and the M25.  It involved creating the largest storage reservoir to be built in the South of England in the past decade, capable of holding 750,000 m3 of water.  The project was awarded Exceptional Merit under the Physical Achievement and Sustainability categories.

See the Awards picture gallery and order on-line - 7x5 £10, 10x8 £15

Three more Exceptional Merit Awards were made to:

M25 Bell Common Tunnel Refurbishment, Epping - Physical Achievement over £2.5m
This was a major maintenance scheme to replace mechanical and electrical equipment originally installed when the tunnel was constructed in the early 1980's. The refurbishment also widened the carriageway and upgraded the safety equipment in the tunnel to current European Standards. Work also included the removal of a raised walkway to meet disability requirements, improved access for
emergency services and increased ventilation.  The £90.4million project achieved a million man-hours without any accidents and minimum disruption to the public. The opening ceremony took place on 3 March, eleven weeks earlier than planned.

St Neots Flood Risk Management Scheme - Physical Achievement under £2.5m
The town has been subject to flooding on the left bank most recently in 1998 and 2003.  The Scheme blends effortlessly within the surrounding environment and protects 115 properties. It was completed in seven months and came in under the £1.6million budget. 

See the Awards picture gallery and order on-line - 7x5 £10, 10x8 £15

Been made redundant?  The Institution of Civil Engineers Benevolent Fund may be able to help.

Firstly, all members have access to our 24/7 Helpline.  Advice is available on the practicalities and procedures of redundancy, including legal issues.  Often people facing redundancy have no idea if their employer is acting fairly etc.  The Helpline can assist with this and explain what to expect.  The freephone number for the Helpline is 0800 587 3428, or you can e mail icebenevolent@ppcuk.com.  The Helpline is available for advice on a whole range of issues, not just redundancy.

We also offer an Outplacement programme for members who have been unable to find alternative employment within three months of redundancy.  The Outplacement scheme is run for the Benevolent Fund by leading career consultants, Chiumento. It is geared to individual needs, but includes things like: developing a CV which will generate interviews; simulated interview training with feedback using CCTV; coaching in self marketing techniques; developing a personal marketing plan.  The programme includes 6 sessions with a personal consultant run over 4 months. Course attendees also receive a comprehensive job search kit and password controlled access to 100,000 vacancies a month.  

Finally, if members are suffering financial hardship because of redundancy we may offer financial assistance for a six month period.  The level of financial assistance would depend on a household's available income, expenditure and assets.  Often financial assistance is offered alongside the Outplacement scheme providing sufficient 'breathing space' to get over the redundancy and get back into the workplace.

www.bfice.org.uk

Post Copenhagen

Is Low Carbon Sustainble Development Possible?

A conference for built environment professionals whether new build or retrofit

9.00am - 4.30pm, Thursday 21 October 2010 - AirSpace Conference Centre, Duxford

See the attached flyer

Details of both events on the attached flyers.