Leading highways services provider Amey has been honoured by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) for its innovative approach to maintaining structures on the West Midlands’ motorway network.
Amey won the ICE West Midlands Innovation award for work carried out on the 1,300 reinforced concrete support structures that carry the M5 and M6 through the region. With supply chain partners R&C Williams, Amey developed an innovative method of maintaining the structures which has delivered over £91,000 in savings to the Highways Agency as well as reducing the requirement for future work and disruption on the network.
The team designed a new bolt, which is prototyped and manufactured in polypropylene to replace the stainless steel bolts which were used previously. The component is smaller, cheaper, more durable and thus more sustainable.
Scott Millar, Amey business director, said: “We constantly strive to improve the service we provide to our clients through new innovations and therefore, we are delighted to have been recognised by the ICE.
“Although a physically small innovation, this bolt is a perfect example of how to add value, reduce costs and hopefully disruption, and the award is testament to this.”
Nigel Drew managing director for R&C Williams said: “It is great to work in partnership with a company like Amey who are continually looking to innovate and improve their service offering, delivering benefits not only to the HA but also to the travelling public.”