At the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) South West Civil Engineering Awards 2022 held in Bristol yesterday, 22nd November, Network Rail came away with three awards.

The annual awards held in association with Kier BAM aim to recognize achievement among regional engineers and project teams. Network Rail gained awards for the Ocean Canal bridge at Stonehouse near Stroud in Gloucestershire and the reopening of the Dartmoor Line in Devon, which gained two awards.

Ocean Canal Bridge Replacement

Network Rail was the winner of the Under £8m New Build Award, which is sponsored by Cormac for its work on behalf of the Cotswolds Canals Connected Project to replace a railway bridge over a canal at the Ocean in Stonehouse.

The bridge carries the Gloucester to Bristol railway line over the Stroudwater Canal. Between 24th December 2021 and 1st January 2022, Network Rail engineers worked night and day to replace the bridge and complete the project on time. The bridge is an essential part of the Cotswold Canals Connected Project’s plans to restore four miles of canal between Stonehouse and Saul Junction. Its replacement reinstates a navigable channel for boats to pass under the railway, whilst it also provides a wider towpath to give cyclists and walkers better access.

Dartmoor Line

The Dartmoor Line is a former freight railway line between Okehampton and Exeter. It was restored in just nine months at £10m under budget, and became the first former line to reopen under the Government’s Restoring Your Railway programme.

In a record-breaking 20-day period, Network Rail engineers laid 11 miles of new track and installed 24,000 concrete sleepers and 29,000 tonnes of ballast. Following over £40m of Government investment, the line reopened to regular passenger services last November for the first time in nearly 50 years.

The reopening of the line was recognised when Network Rail in partnership with Great Western Railway Devon County Council won both the prestigious Showcase Award and the Community Award in recognition of their outstanding community engagement and the benefits they bring to rural communities on Dartmoor.

Full details of all the shortlisted projects and sponsors of the awards sponsors can be found online at www.ice.org.uk/sw/awards.

Stuart Calvert, Network Rail Wales and Western capital delivery director, said: “I am delighted for everyone involved that our Dartmoor Line and Ocean Canal bridge projects have been recognised at this year’s prestigious Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) South West Civil Engineering Awards.

“The reopening of the much-anticipated Dartmoor line has been a revelation for the town of Okehampton and other nearby communities, supporting greater connectivity, boosting local businesses, the tourism sector, and provide greater access to education and work for thousands of people who live locally.

“I am equally pleased that our work to replace the railway bridge at the Ocean in Stonehouse has also been recognised. Our team worked tirelessly over the last festive period to complete this important upgrade which will help ensure we continue to run a safe and reliable railway for years to come, not forgetting also enabling boats to pass through the canal at the Ocean in Stonehouse for the first time in many years.”

Sally Walters, chair of judges, said: “The Dartmoor Line is an inspirational example of what can happen when civil engineers and communities work together. The project shows how infrastructure can improve connectivity for rural areas and how quickly improvements can be delivered for everyone’s benefit. What’s more, the scheme has created a template for the successful restoration of other disused railways across the UK. Congratulations to all involved with this outstanding scheme.”

Miranda Housden, ICE South West Regional Director, said: “This year’s awards showcase the challenging work undertaken by civil engineers for the benefit of regional communities. The project winners demonstrate how social value, economic growth, climate resilience and inclusivity can be unlocked through excellence and innovation in the design, construction and implementation of infrastructure schemes.

“The awards confirm that the South West is building for the future by investing in the new talent we need to help the region thrive in the years to come. All our winners and finalists should be very proud of what they are achieving and the contribution they are making to the South West.”