Budleigh's Lower Otter Restoration Project has been awarded an ICE South West Civil Engineering Award this week.

The £27m scheme to reduce the impacts of sea level rise and climate change in the Lower Otter Estuary by reconnecting the historic floodplain and creating new intertidal habitats. It was completed last year.

The Lower Otter Restoration project was presented with the Community Award at the gala ceremony in Bristol on Thursday October 24.

The scheme involved working with local people and partners to relocate infrastructure and amenities to allow the reinstatement of natural processes to reconnect the River Otter, estuary and floodplain, creating 55 hectares of valuable saltmarsh and mudflats.

The award judges said they were impressed by the exceptional collaboration, between the project partners —the Environment Agency, Clinton Devon Estates, Jacobs, and Kier— and the local community.

"We felt that this collaborative approach has not only protected vital habitats but also strengthened community ties, creating a space where both wildlife and people can thrive."

Staged annually by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) South West, the awards in association with Kier BAM, recognise the achievements of civil engineers and highlight the contribution infrastructure projects make to the region.

The awards scheme is one of the most rigorous and prestigious in the sector, involving site visits to all shortlisted schemes.

Miranda Housden, regional director, ICE South West said: “The ICE South West Civil Engineering Awards 2024 have showcased the remarkable ingenuity and dedication of civil engineers.

"From groundbreaking projects that enhance our regional infrastructure to apprentices and graduates who inspire with their enthusiasm and fresh perspectives.

“This year’s winners and finalists exemplify excellence and show the creativity alive across the industry. Celebrating these achievements not only highlights their contributions to our communities but also underscores the vital role civil engineers play in shaping a sustainable and resilient future for the region.”

The awards are sponsored by Kier BAM, AECOM, Arup, AtkinsRéalis, Balfour Beatty, Cormac, Girling Jones, Mott MacDonald, Stantec, Tony Gee and Partners, Temporary Works forum and WSP.

Full details of all the winners are available at the ICE Awards website.