A SCHEME which involved the construction of a missing part of the Stroudwater Navigation Canal through the centre of the roundabout on the A38 is in the running for an engineering award.


The Whitminster roundabout project has been announced as a finalist in the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) South West Civil Engineering Awards 2021.


The project was inspired by the Cotswold Canals Trust, funded by Highways England and delivered by Gloucestershire County Council through contractors Alun Griffiths.
It aimed to deliver the construction of a canal through the A38 Whitminster roundabout, with two new bridges, a canal channel and towpath.


Construction began in December 2019 and it was completed in November last year.

Highways England project manager Sarah Lewis said: “We are delighted with the nomination. Our Designated Funds programme was developed so that we can invest in improvement projects like this, which go beyond traditional road building and maintenance, and have a positive impact on people and communities.”


Jen Dorman, Gloucestershire County Council highways infrastructure and improvements lead, said: “It’s fantastic news that the project has been chosen as a finalist in these awards. Completing this project during a challenging year was a great achievement by the team so I’m delighted it has been given this deserved recognition.”


Aimee Malcolm, Cotswold Canals Trust Fundraising-Ambassador, said “Our canal restoration project is complex and yet so brilliant. Having the trust and support of our public sector partners helps us to create beautiful spaces for communities, improve the environment and celebrate the industrial heritage of Gloucestershire, congratulations to the incredible contraction team for delivering this incredible piece of civil engineering during COVID-19, we are thrilled with outcome.”


The Whitminster roundabout project is one of 10 finalists in the ICE South West Civil Engineering Awards 2021, which showcases the best civil engineering work in the region.


The winner will be decided by a public vote via: bit.ly/3xs25d6


The closing date for votes is July 30.