Northern Gas Networks has won the accolade of ‘Most Considerate Site’ for its Carlisle Gas Holder Demolition project at this year’s Considerate Constructors Scheme’s National Site Awards.
The construction site, which is based close to the River Caldew in Carlisle, received the award within the category of projects up to a value of £500k, at the glamorous awards ceremony in London on 12 April.
The Considerate Constructors Scheme National Site Awards recognise the highest-performing construction sites against the Scheme’s Code of Considerate Practice which monitors how considerate the site is being towards the local community, environment and workforce.
The site team’s approach to testing the atmosphere of the gasholder before anyone was allowed to enter it was unprecedented in its detail, testing and content.
The privacy of local people was carefully taken into account, with most of the site concealed, while allowing space for the public to view the works; a nearby disabled business owner also received assistance. Local industrial history groups were invited to share their views and knowledge as the site is of long-term interest.
This year’s awards were for registered sites that completed in 2018. Sites were eligible to win the ‘Most Considerate Site’ within the following six ‘project value bands’: Under £500k; £500k to <£1m; £1m to <£5m; £5m to <£10m; £10m to <£50m; and £50m and over.
The Scheme presented only 764 National Site Awards from a total of over 6700 eligible sites. In addition to the six Most Considerate Site Award winners, there were 336 Bronze, 252 Silver and 152 Gold, as well as 18 Most Considerate Site Runners-Up.
Considerate Constructors Scheme Chief Executive Edward Hardy said: “Congratulations to Northern Gas Network’s Gas Holder Demolition project team. They should be extremely proud of receiving this prestigious industry accolade, which recognises their invaluable contribution to improving the image of construction.
“We are always amazed by the increasing levels of performance on site across the country, and we look forward to performance continuing to increase through next year and beyond.”
Tim Harwood, Head of Programme Management for Northern Gas Networks, said: “The gas holder on Rome Street has been an iconic landmark in Carlisle for decades. We wanted to make sure that we removed the structure in a way that was sensitive to local communities, and to the environment.
“We worked closely with local people, including schools, so that they could commemorate the site before it disappeared from the skyline.
“The whole team is thrilled to win this award. It’s a great feeling to have all that hard work acknowledged at a national level.”
All award winners are available to view on the Construction Map here.
