South Devon Highway gets gold!

The South Devon Link Road project has been presented with a major industry award for the third consecutive year.

Galliford Try, along with Devon County Council and Torbay Council, were awarded gold status at the prestigious Considerate Constructors Awards held in London.

Now known as the South Devon Highway, this is the third year that the project has been recognised at the awards. 2016 is the first time they received a gold award: the team was given a silver award in both 2014 and 2015.

The awards aim to improve the image of the construction industry: members of the scheme are required to follow strict guidelines to ensure their worksites are kept clean, safe and well managed, and to show respect to the community and the environment. Sites are monitored against a Code of Considerate Practice, designed to encourage best practice beyond statutory requirements.

Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, said: “The South Devon Link Road Project was one of the biggest construction projects and one of the most complex highways schemes in the South West, involving many partners and engineering challenges – so to be awarded for our considerate practices is a fantastic achievement.”

Torbay Council’s Chief Executive, Steve Parrock, said: “I’d like to pass on my congratulations to all the partners involved in the project. This is an exceptional achievement and highlights how the South Devon Highway construction site was continually raising standards way above and beyond statutory requirements, throughout the life of the project.”

Chris Hastings, Project Director at Galliford Try, said: “Being recognised as a considerate constructor for the third year running is a real accolade, and is testament to the care and consideration shown throughout the construction process on site. Underpinning the project has been the aim of keeping disruption to a minimum as far as possible. We’ve worked really hard to engage with the community throughout the construction process and this award is formal recognition of both our communication with residents and motorists, and also our commitment to improving the image of construction.”

The 5.5km dual carriageway provides the long awaited bypass for Kingskerswell and was officially opened by Roads Minister Andrew Jones in February.

The project is continuing to receive awards and accolades: this success comes after the project won a regional Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) South West awards and a UK award for its environmental activities: the gold Green Apple award recognised the scheme’s sustainable and green credentials.