A FLOOD alleviation scheme in Middlesbrough and a project to stop the erosion of banks of the River Leven, protecting an essential Teesside road, have won top industry awards.

The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) has announced that Greatham South Flood Alleviation Scheme, has been awarded the Large Project Award for projects with a value greater than £5 million, and the River Leven Erosion Project has been given the Small Projects Award for projects with a value of up to £1 million in its 2019 Robert Stephenson Awards.

Greatham South Flood Alleviation Scheme in Middlesbrough is a vital piece of the jigsaw in delivering the Tidal Tees Flood Risk Management Strategy, providing flood defences to 358 homes in an area of high deprivation and 32 businesses including a fuel and energy cluster classed as a nationally critical asset.

River Leven Erosion Project aimed to counter the aggressive action of the waterway which put the road into a critical state by eroding the riverbank to a near vertical face within 2m of the A1044 Leven Bank Road without incidents or closing the road.

The awards are held annually to showcase the outstanding work done during the past year by civil engineers in the North-East.

In 2018, the Large Projects Award was won by The Blyth Offshore Demonstrator Windfarm Project, delivered by BAM Nuttall for EDF Energy Renewables, and the Small Projects Award was won by the Cobalt Cycle Scheme, delivered by Capita for North Tyneside Council.

This year’s winners were revealed by Andrew Wyllie CBE, President of the ICE at the annual black-tie dinner at Gosforth Park Hotel on May 2, sponsored by CDM Recruitment Ltd.

On the River Leven Erosion Project, Kyle Sutcliffe, the lead judge of the awards, said: “This project was highly sensitive and required careful planning but despite this the project team demonstrated how effective team work can deliver efficient engineering solutions whilst mitigating construction risks over a short period.

“Whilst the site was very confined, excellent traffic management and suitable safety measures ensured that the high number of vehicle and pedestrian users were not significantly inconvenienced but maintained a safe area for site workers.

“The judging panel were impressed with the research into the river flows and communications with EA which allowed excellent engineering solutions to be utilised to provide support to the main highway whilst prolonging the life span of the river embankment.”

On Greatham South Flood Alleviation Scheme, Kyle Sutcliffe, the lead judge of the awards, said: “The ICE panel of judges considered four very interesting and different projects. However the overall winner of the large project was the stand out project Greatham Creek.

“This team worked with restrictions of working due to within tides, historical sites of interest and very many wildlife considerations.

“The judges were particularly impressed with the striking legacy of bird and seal hides which are well used by the public. These have made best use of the flood defences in attracting visitors to the area as well as enhancing the wellbeing of local residents.”