2015 Saltire Society Civil Engineering Award Winner
New look Haymarket station scoops Saltire Engineering Award
Scotland’s fourth busiest railway station has been crowned the overall winner of the 2015 Saltire Civil Engineering Awards, following completion of a major refurbishment and extension project. Announced annually, the Awards are a much coveted accolade from the Saltire Society and the Institution of Civil Engineers Scotland recognising excellence and innovation in civil engineering.
Client: Network Rail
Consultant: CH2M Hill
Contractor: Morgan Sindal
Architect IDP: Architects
The £25 million redevelopment of Edinburgh's Haymarket Station - Scotland's fourth busiest railway station - includes the refurbishment of an existing Grade A listed station building and a major extension to accommodate a predicted 6 million increase in passenger numbers by 2030.
Read more about Haymarket Station Capacity Improvement HERE
Commendations
Ullapool Harbour Berth Improvements
Client: Ullapool Harbour Trustees/Caledonian Maritime Assets
Designer: Wallace Stone LL
Contractor: RJ McLeod Ltd
An increase in traffic, following the introduction of Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) and the introduction of a new vessel, the MV Loch Seaforth, which is substantially larger in capacity and displacement tonnage than the existing ferry, were the key drivers behind this project.
Read more about Ullapool Harbour Berth Improvements HERE
River Ness Flood Alleviation
Contractors: Coffey Group, Morgan Sindall, McLaughlin & Harvey Construction Ltd.
The River Ness Flood Alleviation Scheme provides flood protection to over 1000 properties in the heart of Inverness and reconnects the riverfront with the city centre. The historic riverside environment has been enhanced making it attractive and accessible and promoting active travel. The primary flood defence is a number of reinforced concrete retaining walls with much of the hard engineering hidden under the new streetscape with mature trees and river banks retained to maintain the natural look of the area. A practical civil engineered solution to a serious problem which is also an asset for Inverness to be enjoyed for generations to come.
Judges’ comments: “The project demonstrates a high level of skill, commitment, design and execution. The project team has delivered a practical civil engineered solution to a serious problem and have developed this into an asset for Inverness which will be enjoyed for generations.”
Hampden Park Redevelopment (Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games)
Contractor: WH Malcolm Ltd.
The temporary transformation of Scotland’s National Stadium to host track and field and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games closing ceremony was achieved by raising the playing surface by almost two metres, gaining the width and length required for an IAFF approved athletics track. Engineers pioneered a raised deck sytem made up of 1,200 base panels supported by over 6,000 structural steel posts and weighing over 1000 tonnes. The first time this technology has been used on this scale to deliver a world class athletics event, the approach is already being termed as the ‘Glasgow Solution’ in worldwide athletics circles, with widespread interest in the potential it creates for a range of venues to host worldclass athletics events at stadia which are not purpose built. The effects of a small force event producing large movement were exemplified by the swaying of the Millennium Bridge in London, and the potential effects of resonance and frequency on the athletes was addressed thanks to an exceptionally high level of initiative and original thinking on the part of the designers.
Judges’ comments: “This project demonstrated an exceptionally high level of initiative and original thinking in adopting systems and techniques never previously used on such a large scale. It produced a world class athletics stadium at a relatively modest cost, which has now been fully restored for football, with maximum re-use and recycling of materials.”
Clients: Transport Scotland; Network Rail
Principal Contractor: BAM Nuttall
This new line, the longest new domestic rail line to be built in the UK for over 100 years, is reconnecting the Borders to the national rail network and bringing investment and housing back to areas that have suffered population loss. It has seven new stations, 61km of track including 3 passing loops and capacity for further dualling and electrification has been built in. The railway follows 45 km of the original route and 5 km of new route, passing beneath Edinburgh City bypass before rising up over a new 90 metre bridge across the existing Lothianbridge viaduct and out into the country where some 95 bridges have been regenerated along with 2 tunnels and 42 new structures have been installed. This was a challenging project extending over a 30 mile distance from brownfield urban areas to outstanding areas of natural beauty. Every viable existing structure was retained after careful examination and survey. Tunnels and bridges were lowered to accommodate overhead line capacity. The project demonstrates an exceptional commitment to collaboration and coordination and communication with its stakeholders. The social and economic benefits the completed project will bring to the area it serves will be immense.
Judges’ comments: “The project demonstrated an exceptional commitment to collaboration, coordination and communication with its stakeholders to deliver the longest new domestic railway in Britain for more than a century. The social, economic and environmental benefits the completed project will bring to the area it serves will be of great significance.”