The National Botanic Garden of Wales, Regency Restoration project has been shortlisted in the 2021 Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) People’s Choice Award an international competition showcasing the best of civil engineering.

The competition recognises projects that have a positive impact on the local economy and communities whilst at the same time, highlighting the positive benefits civil engineering has on society as a whole.

The award also aims to highlight the positive benefits civil engineering has on people’s everyday lives.

This year, six projects have been shortlisted in the ICE People’s Choice Award including the Regency Restoration project at the National Botanic Garden of Wales. The competition encourages the general public to vote online for their favourite and ICE Wales Cymru is appealing to the Welsh public to do just that!

The Regency Restoration project is the largest of its kind in Wales and took five years to complete. The projects aim was to restore features of a Regency period landscape, created in the late 18th and early 19th century for the Welsh MP, William Paxton, in what is now Waun Las National Nature Reserve.

Successfully managing a project like this required a dedicated team of specialists working closely together, as well as the many volunteers from the local community.

Local historians, ecologists, archaeologists, architects, civil, structural, geotechnical and hydraulic engineers worked with environmental contractors to sympathetically restore the landscape. The Historical Society and volunteer research assisted the design process, with local societies invited to create a vision for the project design brief, using photography and art to inspire the community.

Meanwhile, the construction enabled everyone to learn about historical and modern engineering in a historic landscape, as they took part in reducing the environmental impacts of construction with tree planting and moving plants.

It involved a multitude of people from all walks of life including the local council and community, twelve local schools and societies, seven local suppliers and thirteen design, heritage and construction organisations. It also had support from local stonemasons, steel fabricators, timber bridge engineers, material suppliers, blacksmiths and tree surgeons.

All in all a mammoth effort and well worth YOUR vote!

The project promoted local procurement from the early planning stages, engaging with consultant ecologists, designers, and engineers during construction.

Extensive works included lake and reservoir creation, dam reconstruction and new water control infrastructure, six footbridges and extensive footpaths.

Today, thanks to the endeavour of the contractor, WM Longreach, key design and project management from Mann Williams, Nicholas Pearson Partnership LLP, Caroe & Partners Architects and HR Wallingford- Reservoir Engineer, visitors can now enjoy a leisurely stroll around this beautiful environment.

A statement from The Botanic Garden of Wales said: “The restored landscape is already proving a huge draw and is a big hit with our visitors. We’ve received some fantastic comments as well as record numbers of people through the gate. We urge all these new-found fans along with all our old friends to vote for us in these prestigious awards.”

The competition is fierce with other shortlisted schemes: Boston Barrier Scheme (East Midlands),The Catalyst (North East), Pooley Bridge Replacement (North West), The NI Multimodal Transport Hub -North-West (Northern Ireland), Rochester Bridge Refurbishment Project (South East) competing for the title.

Keith Jones, Director, ICE Wales Cymru said: “What a great achievement for all involved with this amazing restoration at the National Botanic Garden of Wales! The standard of this competition was very high and I am pleased that ICE Wales Cymru is being represented by this fantastic scheme and the great project team behind it. Congratulations and good luck to all shortlisted projects.”

The public vote opens at 10am on Tuesday, September 7 and closes at 5pm on Tuesday, October 19. The winner will be announced during the 157th ICE President’s Inauguration in November 2021.