TWO different engineering projects at the Hinkley Point C (HPC) nuclear power site have been shortlisted for prestigious civil engineering awards.

One of the nominations is for using some of the world’s biggest heavy lift vessels to place six cooling water heads on the sea bed in the Bristol Channel.

The other is for innovative management of soil waste from tunnelling works and other onsite materials which avoided hundreds of thousands of lorry journeys on Somerset’s roads.

They are among 14 projects in the running for the ICE South West Civil Engineering Awards 2023, in which people can vote for their favourite.

Hinkley Marine Works was recognised for the placement of the HPC heads in the Bristol Channel and HPC Stockpile Management was chosen for its ‘project within a project’ managing soil waste during the ongoing operation to build the new nuclear power station.

Projects from across the South West were shortlisted by a panel of civil engineers to reflect outstanding engineering achievement, innovation, and ingenuity.

Schemes have to show how they positively improve life for people in the region, whether through growth and economic development, climate resilience, carbon reduction, or enriching communities and delivering social value.

The public is then in control of choosing the ‘People’s Choice Award’ winner through a free online vote at ice.org.uk/sw/awards, with voting closing at 5 pm on Tuesday, August 29.

ICE regional director Miranda Housden said: “The ‘People’s Choice Award’ is a great opportunity to promote civil engineering to the public and celebrate the hard work that civil engineers engage in to benefit the region’s communities.

“I would encourage everybody to find out more about the outstanding projects on the shortlist and cast a vote for the scheme they think has had the greatest positive impact for their area or the region as a whole.”

Results will be revealed at a gala ceremony in Bristol on November 10 hosted by television presenter Rob Bell.

The winners of graduate and apprentice of the year will also be announced, along with other project categories.

Craig Small, operations director of Kier Infrastructure (Major Projects), which sponsors the awards, said: “These awards are a fantastic barometer for civil engineering in the South West, showing how the industry is making an important contribution to the region.

“They demonstrate the expertise and creativity of civil engineers in solving infrastructure problems and coming up with sustainable solutions to enrich people's lives, reduce carbon, and help address the challenges of our changing climate.”