THE project to extend Battenhall Bridge on the edge of Worcester has been highly commended in a national award scheme.

The project was recognised in the highways management category at the MJ Local Government Achievement Awards.

Worcestershire County Council and its partners, SLC Rail and Alun Griffiths Ltd, were praised for "demonstrating an example of innovative engineering which could be transferable to similar situations across the UK" and "demonstrating a can-do attitude which delivered the project effectively and efficiently and satisfied the needs and issues of several organisations with the minimum of disruption".

Cllr Ken Pollock, cabinet member with responsibility for economy and infrastructure, said: "This is yet another fantastic and very well deserved achievement for everyone involved in the work on Battenhall railway bridge. I’m thrilled the team have received further recognition for their efforts.

"The work on extending the bridge was an extremely important part of our wider project to ensure the A4440 Worcester Southern Link Road is fit for the future by dualling from the M5 to Powick Roundabout.”

Foundation work to start next week for new Carrington bridge and viaduct

The extension of the Battenhall Railway Bridge was one of the most significant obstacles to dualling the road between the Whittington and Norton roundabouts.

The bridge spans one of the busiest stretches of road in the county, just off the M5 motorway and carries rail services from London into Worcester and Herefordshire.

Peter Evans, project director for Alun Griffiths Ltd, said: “We’re delighted to have been involved in this work. The spirit of partnership shown in delivering this complex project has been an inspiration to everybody involved.”

The project has previously won recognition at the recent West Midlands Civil Engineering Awards, was highly commended at the Rail Business Awards and named best large project at the 2019 Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation West Midlands Awards.

Sam Uren, engineering director of SLC, said: “It’s been a real pleasure to work on this project with our partners. We’re really proud of the SLC team’s part in making this such a great success.

“SLC prides itself on working with others to make the whole greater than the sum of its parts. Our aim is to build collaborative and positive relationships thus achieving a great outcome for our clients and the public who will benefit from these types of investments. Well done to all involved!”