A NEW walking and cycling bridge in Worcester has already won an award.
Kepax Bridge, opened in December by Paralympic gold-medallist Rebecca Redfernand, scooped the Large Project Award (project value over £10 million) at the Institution of Civil Engineers annual West Midlands Awards.
Since opening, the new bridge has enabled users to walk and cycle much more quickly between the Henwick Park area, to the west, and Barbourne and Claines in the east. The bridge also connects residents with the National Cycle Network.
The project was praised by the judges for its innovative design of a 145-metre-long cabled-stayed structure, which used specialist wind tunnel testing to ensure comfort and safety. The team that designed the bridge was also applauded by the judges for promoting active travel in the local community.
The bridge was delivered by Jacobs, Alun Griffiths and Moxon Architects for Worcestershire County Council.
ICE East and West Midlands regional director, Jo Barnett, said: “Our judges had a diverse range of projects to consider from all sectors of the industry, drawn from right across the region.
“Many entries this year also highlighted the sustainable benefits civil engineers in the region are bringing to our everyday lives and these particular projects are both a great example of that.
“Our annual awards are important in not only demonstrating the importance of civil engineers, whose hard work and dedication can often go unnoticed, but in also celebrating the positive impact that civil engineering has right across the region.”
