Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK’s impact on two multi-million-pound projects was recognised at the ICE Wales Cymru 2024 Awards.
The contractor’s work alongside Menter Môn Morlais Ltd on tidal energy development Morlais helped secure the Community Engagement honour, whilst the Penrhyn Bay coastal defence scheme landed Conwy County Borough Council the Award for Diversity.
Anglesey-based Morlais was victorious after it best engaged with the local community in planning, design, project management, and construction at all stages of the project.
During the creation of the onshore infrastructure, Jones Bros supported Holyhead Hotspur, Holyhead Leisure Centre, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, and nearby agricultural holdings, as well as utilised the local supply chain.
Jones Bros senior contracts manager Brendan Fieldhouse oversaw the scheme, which has the potential generating capacity of 240MW – enough to power around 180,000 typical households.
He said: “It’s fantastic that Morlais has secured this award. We know from our time working on the project just how important engaging with the community was.
“For example, road closures will happen on schemes such as this, but explaining the process to people impacted makes them feel valued and that their opinions and voices are being heard.”
Ian Hughes, business manager at Menter Môn Morlais Ltd, added: “We are thrilled to be recognised for the Community Engagement award.
“Throughout the construction of the project infrastructure and in collaboration with Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK, engaging with the local community was a key part in developing a strong relationship with the local community.”
The Award for Diversity, meanwhile, is given to an individual or organisation that has best demonstrated standards of excellence in diversity during the planning, design, project management, and construction of a project, taking into consideration and placing emphasis on all aspects of fairness, inclusion, respect and equality.
On behalf of Conwy County Borough Council, Jones Bros completed the scheme, which included procuring and importing around 60,000 tonnes of rock armour.
A T-shape rock groyne was then constructed to reduce erosion and minimise the impact of stormy weather and associated flooding.
Jones Bros became the first company to successfully relocate an entire shore-sized habitat of honeycomb reef worm as part of its work on the project.
In addition, the Ruthin-headquartered firm sponsored Penrhyn Bay Football Club under-8s, held a site visit for primary school pupils from Ysgol Glanwydden, and donated funds towards Ysgol John Bright’s Addams Family show at Venue Cymru.
As part of the awards night in Cardiff, Jones Bros sponsored the STEMM Ambassador of the Year award.
Dominic Henson of AtkinsRéalis secured the honour that focuses on science, technology, engineering, mathematic, and medicine, with the winner rewarded for outstanding commitment to inspiring the next generation of civil engineers.
John Mather, ICE chartered civil engineer, chair of the panel of judges, said: “Identifying winners was particularly difficult this year with 28 entries for seven awards.
“All the projects that we reviewed and assessed were impressive in their own way.
“We have highly commended some projects that placed community involvement and supporting nature-based solutions front and centre, thereby contributing to the seven well-being goals of the Welsh Government’s Well-being of Future Generations Act.”
Established in the 1950s, Jones Bros owns one of the largest plant fleets in the UK and employs approximately 500 people.
The company is currently working on contracts in various sectors including highways, flood and marine defence, waste management and renewable energy around the UK.
The company continues to run apprenticeships with many of its senior managers having started out as apprentices or in a trainee role. It has recruited hundreds of apprentices over the years.