Jackfield Stabilisation up for top award

To shine a light on the amazing work of civil engineers 12 projects from across the UK have been nominated for the People’s Choice Award 2017.

This prestigious industry award is the prize of prizes for civil engineering projects. Voted for by the very people who use them.

The Jackfield stabilisation project in Ironbridge has been nominated to represent the West Midlands and will compete for the accolade of ICE Peoples’ Choice Award Winner 2017.

Engineers from Telford & Wrekin Council, Jacobs, and McPhillips (Wellington) Ltd who delivered the project which won the ICE West Midlands Awards 2017, are proud to have been shortlisted for this national award.

Holding back a hillside against the forces of nature Jackfield is part of the UNESCO designated World Heritage Site.

It is also the site of a historic landslip which has seriously affected residents, industry, rail and road transport since the early 1700s.

Engineers undertook this technically demanding and complex project to stabilise a 350-metre length of moving hillside which could cause a landslip into the river, causing a blockage and upstream flooding. The project has averted this possible disaster allowing the construction of a new road and restoring full access to the area.

Molly McKenzie, ICE East Midlands and West Midlands regional director, said: “Good civil engineering projects greatly benefit people’s everyday lives, shaping the world and safeguarding our future.

"The Jackfield stabilisation project improves lives for Jackfield residents and deserves to be recognised as one of the best examples of civil engineering in the country. I encourage members of the community to show their appreciation and cast their vote for the project to win.”

Councillor Angela McClements, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet lead for the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site, said: “We were absolutely delighted that this major project to stabilise the south bank of the River Severn in Jackfield won the ICE West Midlands award and I hope that everyone will vote for it in the national award during the next couple of weeks.”

Members of the public can vote at www.ice.org.uk/Peopleschoiceaward from until December 1 and the winning project will be revealed on December 13.

All voters will be entered into a prize draw to win a Kindle and a six-month Kindle Unlimited Membership. The public can follow award updates on social media using #ICEPeopleschoice.

In 2016, over 16,000 people across the UK cast a vote for one of their favourite civil engineering projects, with the repair of Scotland’s Forth Road Bridge winning the top prize.