A road project aimed at tackling a long-standing bottleneck on one of the main routes through Somerset has been recognised at the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) South West Civil Engineering Awards 2025 in
association with Kier BAM.

The £155m A303 Sparkford to Ilchester dualling scheme by National Highways, delivered by contractor, Galliford Try, received the Showcase Award, the most prestigious prize on offer.

The project to upgrade a 3.5-mile stretch of the A303 from a single to a dual carriage, included the construction of three new junctions, two major structures, and extensive earthworks.

The judges said it was a landmark achievement, representing the very best of infrastructure delivery and reflecting the ambition, collaboration, and engineering excellence that defines the region’s future.

For every £1 spent on the project, it’s expected to bring back over £3 in benefits by improving journey times and reliability for local traffic and visitors travelling from the South East to the South West.

Miranda Housden, regional director, ICE South West, said:

“This year’s award winners reflect the outstanding skill, creativity and commitment driving civil engineering across the South West. It’s especially encouraging to see emerging talent celebrated alongside experienced professionals, with all finalists contributing to a vibrant and resilient industry.

“Many of the winning projects stood out for their meaningful public engagement, showing how engineers are working closely with communities to shape solutions that truly serve them. These awards are a powerful
showcase of the positive impact civil engineering delivers across our region.”

A full list of winners is available at www.ice.org.uk/sw/awards

(Pic: National Highways/Institution of Civil Engineers)