GRAHAM was celebrating yet again as its M32 MetroBus project picked up the Sustainability Award at the South West Built Environment Awards – Constructing Excellence.

The prestigious event, which is now in its 11th year, rewards the “very best” in the South West built environment.

Returning to Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol, the awards took place on Friday 22nd June 2018, where GRAHAM saw off stiff competition from six other nominees.

The Sustainability Award recognises organisations, or projects, who leave “legacy achievements” and demonstrate best practice in “triple bottom line effects and social value”.

The M32 MetroBus project was also shortlisted for the Integration and Collaborative Working Award.

GRAHAM’s Managing Director - Civil Engineering, Leo Martin, believes the M32 MetroBus scheme was a worthy winner.

“The Sustainability Award recognises how the M32 MetroBus project was delivered with a focus on minimising environmental impacts while maximising social value,” said Leo.

“At GRAHAM, the principles of sustainability underpin our business strategy and this is advocated at Board Level and cascaded down throughout the company. Our positive environmental performance is only achieved through the competence of our teams who champion and deliver sustainability on the ground. I would like to thank everyone involved in the M32 MetroBus project for their award-winning contribution.”

Project summary

In 2015, GRAHAM was successfully awarded two contracts as part of an overall £200m investment by travelwest in the Bristol area.

The assets installed are long lasting, future proofed and easy to maintain, operate and decommission.

As part of the works, a new bridge was constructed, which has allowed commuters to avoid the heavily congested Junction 1 and provides a faster route to the University of the West of England. The extended M32 bus lane has also significantly improved the travel time of all southbound bus services using the motorway.

Some examples of the positive sustainability features and benefits implemented on this project include:

- BodPave 40 grass pavers were installed to facilitate full rainwater penetration

- Implemented the first weekend closure of the M32 since 1966 – handed over nine hours early

- Reduced material to landfill through transferring material from north side to south side

- Partnered with ‘The Haven’, a drug and alcohol project, to secure its boundaries and fencing

- Collaborated with Community Wood Recycling to remove waste timber

- Hosted student group site visits from the University of the West of England

- Raised over £7,500, with its supply chain partners, for Macmillan Cancer Support