Exceptional merit award for the Bacton to Walcott scheme

Five regional engineering projects were put into the spotlight at the East of England Merit Awards 2020.

Among the award winners was Bacton to Walcott Sandscaping Scheme, who won the Exceptional Merit Award.

The Bacton to Walcott scheme is a large-scale beach nourishment, designed to protect the Bacton Gas Terminal and surrounding communities from cliff erosion.

Submitted by North Norfolk District Council, the Bacton to Walcott scheme, received the highest honour of the 2020 Awards.

In the first of its kind in the UK, the Nature based solution pumped 1.8 million m3 of sand on the beach to combat the effects of climate change such as erosion and flooding along the coastline.

Inspired by the Netherlands Sand engine, the scheme was developed to the different climate and environment conditions in Norfolk.

It received the Exceptional Merit Award for Technical Excellence and Innovation, for its ground-breaking approach.

The award was presented by two of the East of England Merit judges; Paul Mitchelmore and Andrew Palmer.