Network Rail’s Queen Mary Viaduct project in East London has won a Bronze Green Apple Award in the Building and Construction category for Regeneration for Environmental Best Practice. The regeneration scheme, adjacent to Queen Mary University, was rewarded for its good environmental practice and social achievements.
The Queen Mary Viaduct development, led by Network Rail in partnership with specialist contractor, Keltbray, Queen Mary University and the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, was presented with the award for the approach used in the demolition of a disused railway viaduct with 25 masonry arches to provide additional land for the university and the local community. This Network Rail project has enabled the development of an outdoor sports facility, storage buildings, and new student accommodation, comprising 412 new rooms with 36 rooms designed to accommodate students with disabilities.
Network Rail will also transfer land previously designated for parking to London Borough of Tower Hamlets - to be used for neighbourhood allotments, benefitting the local community while also increasing habitat for wildlife and improving biodiversity.
The scheme gained particular praise for implementation of sustainable practices on site, including the recycling of construction material, minimising waste, creating a ‘green roof’ to encourage bio-diversity and the reduction of carbon emissions associated with the project.
Nigel Escott, Director of Property at Network Rail Property, said: “We are pleased that our Queen Mary Viaduct project has received this prestigious award, recognising the scheme’s contributions to both the environment and the local community. We are proud of our sustainable regeneration record and are currently progressing other development opportunities that will align with our place-making strategy to offer similar benefits around the UK.”
Phil Bromley, Project Manager at Keltbray, said: “Keltbray are pleased to have played a key role in the award-winning regeneration of the Queen Mary viaduct. We seek to employ the highest standards in environmental practice in line with our company’s long-term commitments, including the aim of supplying zero waste to landfill by 2020. This development has not only helped us on our way towards this target, but now serves as an example of best practice to the wider industry.”
The Green Apple Environment Awards were launched in 1994 by The Green Organisation to recognise, reward and promote environmental best practice around the world.
(Source: Network Rail)
