RPS shortlisted in five categories for the 2020 ACEI Excellence Awards

RPS is delighted to announce that three of our projects have been nominated across five categories in this year’s Association of Consulting Engineers Ireland (ACEI) Excellence Awards. These awards recognise project excellence and innovation of members across multiple categories. Our nominated projects are:

Skibbereen flood relief scheme nominated in the Climate Change Adaption category

Skibbereen has suffered considerably from a long history of flooding; most significantly two major events in 2009. During this event over 120 residential properties and more than 70 businesses, schools, care centres, public buildings and sporting facilities were flooded. This project required tidal and fluvial flood prevention work on the River Ilen and on three tributaries – the Caol, Assolas and Glencurragh, flowing through Skibbereen.

Sound engineering principles and practices were employed by the project team from the outset.  We were appointed as Engineering and Environmental Consultants with responsibility for the identification and delivery of appropriate flood risk management solutions for the town.  A five stage project plan including (i) Feasibility Study; (ii) Outline Design & Ministerial Consent; (iii) Detailed Design & Procurement; (iv) Construction; (v) Handover was adopted for the undertaking of this project. The scheme delivers a 200 year flood prevention scheme protecting more than 300 homes and business in Skibbereen and the surrounding areas.

Read more about the Skibbereen flood relief scheme

St. Erth Multi Modal Hub nominated in the Environmental Sustainability (natural environment) and Overseas categories

The Multi Modal Hub was designed to enable sustainable transport in West Cornwall. The hub itself addresses road congestion issues and supports sustainable commuting by connecting Cornwall’s rail line,  A30 trunk road, bus network and improving pedestrian and cycle access to St Erth railway station.

The site, previously used as a mine and scrapyard, had high concentrations of heavy metals and hydrocarbons creating a  complex array of challenges. These included collapsing mine shafts, hazardous waste and the presence of Japanese Knotweed. Willis Bros and RPS were contracted by Cornwall County Council for the design and construction of the multi‐modal hub. Our team used combined geotechnical, environmental and mining skills to identify and implement a bioremediation solution.

The complex project included the construction of two new car parks with a combined total of approximately 530 parking spaces, a new roundabout, widening of a section of A‐road and signalisation of a junction which was a renowned accident blackspot. Construction works commenced in Spring 2017 and continued until Summer 2019.

The project was named joint winner of the CEEQUAL Exceptional Achievement award 2019 in the category of Restoration of Contaminated Land and Landscaping.

Read more about St. Erth Multi Modal Hub

Haulbowline Island East Tip Remediation Project nominated in the Civil Engineering and Project Management categories.

Haulbowline Island in Cork Harbour was the location of Ireland’s only steelworks which operated between 1939 and 2001. From the early 1960s, steel slag waste from the steel production process was deposited on an area of reclaimed foreshore, which became known as the ‘East Tip’.

This project involved the remediation of the East Tip and its transformation into a public recreational amenity. RPS, appointed by Cork County Council, delivered innovative and sustainable solutions at each stage of this complex project, from inception to handover. Initial stages included the preparation of an EIS, waste licence and planning applications for the remediation work. We managed a number of advance works contracts, procurement and construction stages of the main remediation works, delivering an innovative design solution addressing the remediation objectives and managing the significant contractual risks.

This project has been awarded Engineering project of the year and Local Authority Engineering Initiative Award at the Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards 2020

Read more about the Haulbowline Island East Tip Remediation Project