Blackpool to host top engineers

Almost 400 people are due in the resort for the first time to attend the regional final of the North West Civil Engineering Awards.

And three of the finalist projects are centred in the Blackpool area.

After Blackpool Tower won the North West Civil Engineering Heritage Award last year, the Institution of Civil Engineers – one of the UK’s oldest professional institutions – decided to bring its annual celebration to the Hilton Hotel on March 10.

Among the three projects in the running for a title is the £1.5m Princess Street bridge replacement project, which has been nominated for Medium Project of the Year, against competition from a dozen other schemes from the region.

The £17.7m Harrowside Long Sea Outfall pipe is in the running for Large Project of the Year.

The £14m Anchorsholme Park Storage Tank scheme is also nominated for Large Project of the Year.

Darrell Matthews, North West regional director of the Institution of Civil Engineers, said : “We’re delighted to bring the North West Civil Engineering Awards to Blackpool.

“We hold these awards every year to showcase the fantastic work that’s being done by civil engineers and construction companies around North West England and the Isle of Man – the bridges, railways, tramways, motorways, cycleways, port and airport developments and flood defences, the work on sewage, water and energy infrastructure – all the engineering that makes modern civilisation possible.

“This year’s nominations from Blackpool reflect the vital contribution that civil engineering makes to Britain’s favourite seaside resort – schemes that improve bathing water quality, and a bridge that’s vital to tourist traffic.

“It’ll be really interesting to see who wins the awards. And we’re all looking forward to a great event at the Blackpool Hilton, which overlooks a veritable showcase of great civil engineering – the tramway, the sea defences, the piers and of course the Tower, all of which are sources of pride to civil engineers.”

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