Birse Civils collect award for Stanah sea defences

The national awards ceremony, held in London in December, recognised excellence across four categories. Birse Civils’ Stanah Sea Defences scheme was chosen from a shortlist of three, being recognised for the excellent approach to health, safety and environmental management demonstrated by the project team.

The EA’s Project Excellence Awards aim to recognise projects which demonstrate the application of best practice. The winners are publicised to set an example for future projects within Environment Agency frameworks. The judging panel included senior EA Managers, representatives from Framework Contractors and Suppliers, along with Jean Venables, President of the Institution of Civil Engineers.

The Stanah Sea Defences project provides flood protection for almost 5,000 properties and three schools in Stanah and Thornton. Located near a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the works widened and strengthened the existing embankment through the installation of a sheet pile wall 2m from the landward toe. The space behind the wall was filled with compacted stone and graded to the top of the existing embankment to provide an increased level of defence and improved access for maintenance.