Parc Cybi awarded top marks for sustainability - 23 September 2009
The infrastructure design works for the Atkins’ designed Parc Cybi development in Holyhead, Wales, have achieved the highest ever rating in the UK for sustainability and environmental quality.
The project has been awarded an Excellent rating by the Civil Engineering Environmental Quality Assessment and Awards Scheme (CEEQUAL), with an incredible score of 94.6 per cent. The CEEQUAL scheme is designed to improve sustainability in civil engineering and public realm projects.
Atkins provided full multi-disciplinary design and project management services for the first phase of infrastructure for the project, including masterplanning for the landscaping of the site, ecology, sustainable drainage systems (SUDS), heritage and CEEQUAL advice, as well as producing an energy strategy for the development. The project followed value engineering principles aimed at minimising waste and maximising recycling.
Commenting on the rating, Lloyd Roberts, Atkins’ divisional director, said: “This was a complex project because of the significant archaeological and ecological features within the site, and the particular character of the area in terms of its landscape, vegetation and cultural heritage. The CEEQUAL award is well-deserved recognition of the hard work put into the project by the design and construction team who have raised the bar in terms of sustainability standards that can be achieved on infrastructure schemes of this type.”
Parc Cybi was identified by the Welsh Assembly Government as a strategically important site for the economic regeneration of Holyhead and Anglesey. The project will revitalise the area, creating 1,300 jobs, through a 120 acre mixed housing, business and recreational development. It will include offices, factories, a leisure complex and 150 new homes.
Set within an area of outstanding natural beauty, the Welsh Assembly Government’s concept was for a carbon neutral development that would provide a high quality business environment. The inclusion of a social responsibility clause also required contractors to recruit local people from the unemployment register where possible.
With the infrastructure works for the project now largely completed, the site is expected to be ready for development within 18 months.
Ends
For more information:
Ben Thompson
Head of PR 01372 752154 / 07901 977869
Ben.thompson@atkinsglobal.com
Notes to editors:
Atkins (www.atkinsglobal.com) is one of the world's leading engineering and design consultancies. We have the depth and breadth of technical expertise to respond both to the complex challenges of major infrastructure projects, and the urgent transition to a low-carbon economy. Whether it’s the concept for a new skyscraper, the upgrade of a rail network, the modelling of a flood defence system or the improvement of a management process, we plan, design and enable solutions.
Recent projects include:
• Major infrastructure works, such as the design and programme management of the civil works for the Dubai Metro red and green lines;
• High profile transport planning and urban design – a scheme to deliver a diagonal crossing at London’s Oxford Circus will help solve the problem of pedestrian crowding;
• Key rail projects – helping improve train times on the West Coast Main Line through the design, installation, testing and commissioning of new signalling at Rugby and Nuneaton;
• Multidisciplinary building design – North Road Primary School in Darlington is an exemplar project which raises standards for environmental design and community engagement;
• Vital water and environmental projects – as part of a joint venture, Atkins is providing technical assistance to the Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Reform Programme in Nigeria, which will benefit up to three million people.
Atkins was named among the 20 Best Big Companies to Work For 2009 by The Sunday Times; The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers 2009; and The Times Top 50 Companies Where Women Want to Work 2009. The company was construction and civil engineering sector winner for the fourth consecutive year in the Target National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2009.
Atkins is the official engineering design services provider for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.