Birse Coastal wins BCI award

The project which won the award was the High Knocke to Dymchurch Frontage A sea defences in Kent.

The BCI Awards are the UK’s top accolade for overall excellence in building and civil engineering projects. They attract around 200 entries each year representing the best buildings and civil engineering projects throughout the UK, ranging in size from very small to major.

The High Knocke to Dymchurch Frontage A scheme was one of five shortlisted finalists. The £30m project involved a stepped concrete revetment with wave return wall, new lower promenade, improved upper promenade, raised main flood wall and timber groynes on the foreshore. Additional enhancements include refurbished boat launch slipway, viewing platforms, significantly widened upper promenade at the town centre, improved disabled access and parking.

The judges’ comments about the High Knocke to Dymchurch Frontage A scheme were read out whilst presenting the award. The judges said, “While providing 2.2km of high quality, durable coastal defences, protecting over 2,500 homes and businesses, the scheme was also designed to enhance the amenity value of the sea front, helping in the promotion of local tourist and retail industries and encouraging development and investment.

“The project has created a universally welcomed civic benefit out of necessity, a triumph of enthusiasm from client to community, which is already demonstrating significant regeneration success. The new promenade also demonstrates precast and in-situ concrete to a very high standard.”