ice local - march 2012

ICE LocalIn this issue

Continuing Professional Development

With poor savings rates currently plaguing the headlines Cath Topliss discusses an investment worth making.

Regional Advisory Board

John Queening and John Bowes provide an update on the Renewables Obligation Certificate (ROC) consultation.

Regional Achievers

QUEST Scholars Corrine Buxton, Aiysha Mehreen Hanif, and Joanna Wood.

G&S Football Competition

Harry Tran reports.

ICE Member Benefits

How the RST is encouraging potential Technician members.

UKRAC and Council

Your link to Great George Street.

Project Focus

Special 4-page insert focusing on our recent award winners.

ice | yorkshireandhumber

The members’ newsletterof ICE Yorkshire and HumberMarch 2012

Bringing you news and views on civil engineering in your Region.

We welcome your comments, letters and articles.Please contact us at: [email protected] Follow us on twitter: @ICEYorksHumber

Leeds West Academy

Centenary Award Winner 2012

ice.org.uk/yorkshireandhumber

We encourage feedback from our regional members and always consider any suggestion put forward.

At a recent meeting in York it was suggested that we ought to have meetings, open to all members, in each of the Region’s main cities (Bradford, Hull, Leeds, Sheffield and York).

During this and later discussions the committee decided that City Clubs, which are already widely used in some ICE Regions, may be the solution to this request.

The City Clubs would meet regularly, and perhaps at a constant time, e.g. every 2nd Wednesday of the month for a 1½ hour breakfast meeting, maybe in a member’s office.

The topics discussed would vary according to the members’ interests, and could be

used as an opportunity for them to practise their presentation or debating skills, or simply network to widen their contacts in the Region.

Experience has shown that City Clubs function best when planned and driven by their members. So, would you be interested in a regular City Club meeting and could you assist in providing a venue, sponsorship or presentations? As a committee we would be very happy to support City Clubs - with ideas and a small budget.

Please get in touch if you would like to establish your own ICE City Club.

Rhianna RoseMEng CEng MICE

ICE Y&H Chair2011-12

2 ICE Local - March 2012

Investment in our own learning and development is the most important investment we can make.

CPD is defined as the systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge and skills, covering both technical and professional topics throughout our working life. It is essential for each of us to develop and maintain our professional knowledge, skills and competence.

CPD can help to progress our careers, keep up to date with the latest developments, broaden or deepen our professional knowledge and skills in topics/areas that are useful to us as individuals.

CPD is not just a matter of attending courses - it is about identifying the knowledge and skills we wish to develop, and planning how we can achieve them. For CPD to be effective we need to use the knowledge and skills we gain, so it is consequently worth taking the time to ensure we make the most of it.

� Learning or research on the job; � Peer guidance and discussion; � Acting as a mentor; � Participating in Institution activities;

� Exposure to new situations which require action; � Sharing knowledge and expertise with others; or � Personal learning e.g. using online resources or

watching television programmes.

Renewable energy generation is a key part of the UK’s drive towards a low carbon economy in its efforts to combat climate change. The Regional Advisory Board (RAB) has responded to a government consultation on the right level of subsidies for stimulating the growth of appropriate renewable energy technologies and infrastructure. The consultation was about the Renewable Obligations Certificate (ROC) banding regimes – these set the price subsidies per kWh electrical energy generated per year for each of the different renewable energy technologies.

This ROC’s banding review will have a major impact on renewable energy development in the foreseeable future – by changing the ROC levels,

the Government’s proposals seek to rebalance the mix of renewable technologies, favouring some more than others by encouraging biomass firing with existing coal-fired power stations, and less developed technologies such as wave, tidal and gasification and reducing support to developed methods such as wind and solar.

The RAB responded to this consultation in January 2012, with the following key messages:

Stability – consistency and stability in the ROC banding regime will encourage positive investment and growth in the renewable energy sector, which is currently lacking.

Innovation – technology innovation in the emerging renewable energy technologies will allow future growth and export potential for UK industry. To encourage this, Government should maintain ROC support for the growing technologies such as gasification.

According to the Department of Energy and Climate Change, the outcome of the ROC consultation exercise is expected in Spring 2012.

Continuing Professional Development

Renewables Obligation Certificate (ROC) Consultation:Technologies for the Future

Some of the varied areas that CPD can cover include: self development; communication; managerial experience; technical experience; legislative or commercial practice; associated or special professional areas, and working with others.

CPD can take many forms, including:

ICE Local - March 2012 3

Congratulations to veterans Bradford Council, who grabbed a late goal to win the ICE Yorkshire and Humber Regional five-a-side football competition.

Teams “ABG Limited Ability”, “A-one’derers” (A-one+), Balfour Beatty, Bradford Council, “Dynamo Brighouse” (JNP), Eastwood and Partners, Freedom Group, “Ice Ice Baby” (Leeds Metropolitan University), and “Jacobs City Walkers”, gathered in Leeds to compete for a trophy and a place in the national finals.

The regional final saw Bradford Council and A-one’derers, the two unbeaten teams from the group stage, facing off. A late goal by Bradford enabled the team to retain their title.

Supporting Technical Professional Development

For 20 years or more, the Society of Civil Engineering Technicians (SCET) was responsible for the training and professional development of technicians within civil engineering. Since SCET ceased to exist in 1991 the ICE has taken over responsibility - in recent years putting much effort into promoting the value and role of technicians.

New initiatives have included: the Embedded Technician Scheme, where the Technician Professional Review (TPR) is integrated into a part-time course; the extension of the QUEST Scholarship to students on an accredited academic course leading to Technician Member; and the Advanced Technical Apprenticeship, developed by the ICE and bearing its name.

The Region has been at the forefront of these initiatives with growing success – it is expected to have at least 16 sitting

embedded TPR this summer and the Apprenticeship has a cohort of about 18 students at Leeds College of Building.

There are several key factors that have ensured the success of all these schemes. First and foremost among them have been academic staff who are committed to adding value to their courses and also passionate about the professional development of their students. Without these committed tutors, none of our initiatives would have got off the ground.

Secondly, we are very appreciative of the role of Civil Engineers in the workplace who have taken trainees under their wing and given such helpful mentoring. The ICE is founded on the principle of Members taking personal responsibility for the development of others and this is enshrined in the Professional Code of Conduct for all Members. Last, and not least, is the recognition by trainees of the value of a professional qualification with the ICE and their hard work to achieve this.

2011-12 is the third year of QUEST Scholarship awards in the Region, and this year has been exceptional. The quality of applications was very high, and a record 27 applications were received for the Scholarships. Ten candidates were interviewed, and three Scholarships were awarded to:

Corrine Buxton. Corrine works for Doncaster MDC as a Technician in the Bridges section, where she not only asks questions but questions the answers! She is on the HNC Civil Engineering course at Sheffield College and is aiming to be a professional engineer.

Aiysha Mehreen Hanif, Technical Assistant for Calderdale MDC, is on the HNC Civil Engineering course at Bradford College. Although she has a BSc in Architectural Technology, she realised that civil engineering was an interesting option when she studied superstructures on this course.

Joanna Wood, who is also on the HNC Civil Engineering course at Bradford College, is a Civil Engineering Technician at the University of Bradford. She hopes to inspire students through her work, plays the clarinet in a concert band and is also interested in photography, calligraphy and life drawing.

If you are a technician and proud of the quality of work you achieve, please contact us – we would very much like to meet you and discuss how you can make the most of your talents and your career.

ICE Member Benefits

Bradford Council retain their five-a-side crown

Regional Achievers

Aiysha Mehreen Hanif Joanna WoodCorrine Buxton


Past ICE Yorkshire and Humber Chair Richard Dew was voted on to Council in July 2010, and took his position as Regional Member of Council at the first meeting of Council for the 2010-11 session in December 2010. As a newly-elected Council member Richard also attended as an observer at the October meeting.

The Council of the Institution comprises around 40 elected members (including one from each Region) and meets five times each Presidential year, usually in December, March, May, July and October. The vice presidents attend, as do Directors from the ICE itself. The meeting is chaired by the President, assisted by the ICE’s Director General and Secretary (Nick Baveystock).

During the meetings a variety of items are debated and approved (or not in some cases!). Significant items brought to Council during

the 2010-11 session included: business plan and budgets; alternative sources of funding; the governance review of the function of Council; and the introduction of the Jean Venables Medal for outstanding candidates at TPR. This is just a small snapshot of the items discussed.

A Summary Note of each Council Meeting is usually produced within 2-3 days of the meeting, and this is available for all ICE members to view on the ICE website. Any major impacts from Council are discussed at the following Regional Committee meeting.

The UKRAC is the vital link between the Regions and One Great George Street (OGGS). It is comprised principally of a representative of each of the 12 UK Regions (usually the chair) and their Regional Members of Council, plus the Heads of English Regions (Steve Feeley) and the Devolved Regions (Wendy Blundell).

Staff from OGGS also attend, and the committee is chaired by a permanent Vice President for the Regions, currently Geoff French. This is a change resulting from ICE’s Governance Review, as UKRAC was, until November 2011, chaired by the succeeding Vice President.

The aims of the UKRAC meetings are principally three-fold. Firstly to receive information from the centre, and to discuss and agree regional budgets and business plans. The second strand is to discuss issues which are important to the Regions, and if necessary take these to Council for further discussion. Thirdly, UKRAC acts as a focal point for the sharing of ideas

and best practice amongst the Regions. Four UKRAC meetings are held each year, usually in September, November, March, and June and consist of a mix of presentations and workshops.

As with Council, a variety of issues are debated at UKRAC. In 2010-11 these included such items as: regional business plans and budgets; employer engagement; alternative sources of funding; regional governance review; the Localism Bill; volunteer engagement; ICE organisation and structure; and the need to more-actively engage members with the Institution usually in the broad age range of 35 -50, known as the “wilderness years”.

Items from the UKRAC meetings are reported back to the ICE Yorkshire and Humber committee, and actions taken accordingly. Similarly, issues from Committee meetings are taken forward to UKRAC if further discussion or input is required from other Regions and/or OGGS.

Your ICE Council

United Kingdom Regional Affairs Committee (UKRAC)

Clockwise from top: Geoff French (Chair of UKRAC), Steve Feeley (Head of English Regions), and Richard Dew (Y&H Regional Member of Council)


Annual Awards

Awards are made for Civil Engineering projects with a regional dimension in recognition of achievement, excellence or innovation in Civil Engineering. Nominated projects will normally be expected to have been completed or substantially completed not more than two years before the closing date for nominations.

Originator: Leeds City CouncilDesigner: Mott MacDonald Ltd

Contractor: Interserve ProjectServices Ltd

Architect: GHM Consultancy Group

Leeds West Academy is part of Phase 4 of the Leeds Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme which commenced in 2005. The development comprises construction of a £27m new-build Academy for 1500 pupils and 200 staff on the playing fields adjacent to the existing Academy buildings which are located in the Stanningley Area of Leeds.

The proposals involved creating one integrated building, themed around four discrete teaching blocks, designed to integrate with the landscaping and nestle within the steeply sloping site to provide a welcoming and inspiring entrance for the students, capitalise on the views across the valley and improve the surrounding area by providing better on-site parking and maintenance access.

This involved construction of cantilever and piled retaining walls in excess of 8m high and approximately 10,000m³ of bulk earthworks. One of the retaining walls is over 58m in length

and is incorporated into two storeys of the building’s fabric. The building structure consists of four structurally-independent blocks. Two are steel-framed and two concrete-framed. Steel-framed blocks were adopted where long span open spaces were required. These areas include sports and activity facilities, together with a dining hall comprising 20m clear span roof and 3m cantilever floating walkways, theatre, drama rooms and a cantilevered dance studio. Leeds West Academy is a specialist English and Performing Arts school.

As a result of this, the cantilevered dance studio is suspended over a sunken amphitheatre entrance and a fully functioning theatre with moveable partitions and cantilever balcony levels, which are showpiece spaces. The structure has been designed to achieve the architectural vision, with column-free spaces in these key areas.

Centenary AwardThe best project of excellence in concept, design and execution, and constructed within the Region, was presented to Leeds West Academy.

The Judges’ Comments

The project scored highly in all the criteria with one of the key areas of praise being that the appropriate solution was considered for each element rather assuming than “one size fits all” for the site. There were a number of challenging engineering issues to deal with on this site, and the judges considered the end solutions to be appropriate in all cases.

The project was successfully designed to Eurocodes, ahead of the Government’s requirement for publically-funded buildings. Staged planning applications were used to ensure that enabling works started on time.

The site was carefully managed during construction to avoid disruption to the existing school and adjacent Primary School, and was handed over on time and within budget. The teaching staff we met were impressed with the building and more than happy that it met their requirements.

Leeds West Academy - site progress


This scheme demonstrated that close cooperation with the client is key to the success of a project. By fully understanding the needs and constraints of the client, Tata were able to secure further work for their design team in Yorkshire. Their ability to think ‘outside the box’ produced cost effective solutions that were implemented with little or no comment from external bodies such as the London Advisory committee. They are a credit to designers in the Region.


The best project of excellence not constructed in the Region, but for which there has been a substantial input from Civil Engineers in the Region, was presented to Kings Cross Redevelopment Programme Design Works.

To meet increasing capacity, London Kings Cross station is being remodelled to segregate passenger flows, improve the customer experience and support the operation of more trains per hour at this key London Terminus. The challenge has been to work within the limits of a Grade I listed Victorian train shed to deliver a station fit for the needs of the 21st Century.

Working directly for Network Rail, Tata Steel Projects was engaged to provide detailed design for two packages of work on the Kings Cross project.

The first package involved the structural strengthening and repairs of the station roof and the re-glazing and lighting of the roof. The second package - Train Shed Internals - includes the reconstruction of platforms 1 to 8, shortening of platforms 5 to 8 and the design of a new footbridge, which will link the new Western Concourse to platforms 1 to 8. Incorporated into this footbridge will

be new lifts and escalators down to each of the platforms. A subsequent additional Package was awarded - New Platform 0 under the East Side Offices at Kings Cross Station.

Originator of Project: Network RailDesigner: Tata Steel ProjectsContractors: Vinci Construction Kier Construction Carillion

Centenary Certificate of Excellence:

HJB/12 Bentley Railway Intersection Bridge Reconstruction Following nearly three years of planning, the resulting 29m span, 70° skew bridge deck was installed within a 96-hour blockade over Christmas 2010 using a technique never previously attempted in the territory.

It was delivered safely, on time and within budget, despite the team having to contend with adverse weather conditions, which included heavy snowfalls and extreme cold, prior to and during the main possession works.


A well planned and executed scheme. We were very impressed with the detailed planning process and delivery of bridge replacement during a very tight possession time and challenging weather conditions. Excellent team work was shown by all parties involved.

Awards

Smeaton Award

Originator of Project: Network RailDesigner: Pell FrishmannContractor: May Gurney



Raywell Valley Flood Attenuation Scheme

The Raywell Valley Flood Attenuation Scheme has been designed to hold back 18 million litres of water in a series of terraced lagoons in the event of a flood (1 in 75 year event). These lagoons are located at the side of the Eppleworth and Westfield Road to the north of Castle Hill Hospital. The area is above a drinking water source protection zone 1 and therefore traditional surface water attenuation schemes were not feasible. Instead, an innovative approach of locally widening watercourses on one side of the road with a series of flow control terraces was adopted.


An excellent scheme that was very well thought out and implemented. Its beauty is in itssimplicity and in value for money. There are no significant complicated works so ongoing maintenance will be limited and therefore cost effective. The project team showed an excellent commitment to the profession with public meetings and work with schools. On-site workwas well coordinated with pedestrian and highway improvements minimising disruption.


Leeds Street Lighting PFI - Lighting Improvement for the Community

The contract commenced on 3 July 2006 and has a term of 25 years. This nomination is submitted against the success of the project to complete the target of the replacement of 79,607 street lights within the first five years of the project.

Every milestone has been met and substantial completion of the replacement programme occurred within one month of the original target in July 2011.


This was a project on a massive scale and should be commended on the success of its ‘conveyor belt’ type approach which drove efficiency. The team successfully delivered a major and logistically fraught project. There was considerable interface with the public requiringpatience and skill, which was demonstrated through the low number of complaints.


Outwood School Footbridge Refurbishment

Outwood Grange Academy is located in Outwood, Wakefield adjacent to the A650. The school’s playing fields are located on the other side of the carriageway with access provided by a footbridge. The bridge is approximately 30 years old and had suffered from dilapidation to its waterproofing and bearings due to the ingress of water. As the structure’s main use is to provide access for the school to the playing fields the implementation of the scheme to bring the structure to a standard where it was fit for purpose was imperative.


This was a very well executed project by a young firm. The judges praised the contractor’s commitment to health and safety, which resulted in an alternative solution being proposed. This solution not only halved the construction duration but ensured that all work could be undertaken in the school summers holidays, completely removing the risk of working adjacent to a working school. The project was delivered to time and budget and hashelped place the company firmly on the Council’s list of approved contractors.

Awards

Originator of Project: Wakefield CouncilDesigner: Wakefield CouncilContractor: Joshua Thomas and Partners

Originator of Project: Leeds City Council Designer: Scottish and Southern Energy Contracting Contractor: Scottish and Southern Energy Contracting Other major parties: Contracted Consortium: Tay Valley Lighting

(Leeds) Ltd, Consortium member and funding by Royal Bank of Scotland plc.

Originator of Project: East Riding of Yorkshire CouncilDesigner: Mason Clark AssociatesContractor: Galliford TryOriginator of Project: Network Rail

Designer: Pell FrishmannContractor: May Gurney


Ripon Flood Alleviation Scheme

The Ripon Flood Alleviation Scheme is a £14.4m scheme to protect the city of Ripon against flooding. Ripon has a long history of flooding and has suffered six serious flood events in the last twenty years. The scheme will protect 548 residential and 96 commercial properties from a 1 in 100 year flood event. The scheme involved the following key activities: Construction of a 400m long by 9m high earth dam, upstream of the city of Ripon on the River Laver, and construction of a new low flow gauging weir. The dam has a capacity to hold over 1,500m litres of floodwater.


A well presented project which should provide a high degree of protection to properties in Ripon. The dam is impressive and it fits well with the landscape. Great consideration has been given to the requirements of residents when designing flood walls to tie in with existing buildings and garden features.

Centenary Commended:

The City Park, Bradford

The City Park is a major public realm improvement scheme, funded by Bradford Council, Yorkshire Forward and the Regional Transport Board, which has established a vibrant public space in the heart of Bradford City Centre. The City Park is a flexible space for people of all ages to enjoy, with areas for rest, play and relaxation. It features the mirror pool, the largest city centre water feature in the UK, with over 100 fountains and light, sound and mist effects, making it look different every time you see it. This unique feature is set against the backdrop of the Grade I listed City Hall and reflects and showcases the excellence in design and overall quality of the project. The pool can be easily drained to host public events for up to 10,000 people.


This project is an asset to the centre of Bradford. The City Park provides quality urban space, which is flexible with consideration to potential future uses/facilities. Engineering of a sustainable water source suggests thorough consideration of the environment. The project provided opportunities for local community interaction, work placementsand apprenticeships.

Centenary Commended:

Automatic Queue and Congestion Sign Legends at Barnsley Urban Traffic Control System

This project required the total automation of traffic control ‘queue’ and ‘congestion’ legends for display on 9 signs and is unique because this has not been achieved at any Urban Traffic Control (UTC) system in the UK. It required the creation of unique strategies inside the Barnsley traffic control system that would differentiate between ‘queue’ and ‘congestion’ at individual approaches to signal sites and then automatically send these legends to the most appropriate signs.


This project demonstrated excellent value for money in obtaining maximum benefit from theintegration of existing assets and technologies. The scheme can show demonstrable improvements to junction safety and congestion around Barnsley. The project should reduce the need for civil engineering at road intersections, reduce the need for control personnel, increase road safety and increase the speed of traffic flows.


Originator of Project: Environment Agency, Designer: Halcrow Group Ltd Contractor: Interserve Construction LimitedOther major parties: ECC PM and Cost Consultant: Arup

Originator of Project: Barnsley Metropolitan Borough CouncilDesigner: Siemens Plc, Consultancy Services, IC/MOL/Traffic SolutionsContractor: Siemens Plc, Traffic Solutions, IC/MOL/Traffic Solutions

Originator of Project: Bradford Metropolitan District CouncilDesigner: GillespiesContractor: Birse Civils

Awards

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