Waterside construction firm digs in for silver success at industry awards

One of the companies building the University of Northampton’s new Waterside campus has won a UK-wide award for socially and environmentally aware construction.

Bowmer and Kirkland, who have been in charge of creating the teaching, learning and academic buildings, won Silver for Top National Site at the Considerate Constructions Skills Certification Scheme’s (CCSCS) awards, held earlier this week (Wed 18 April).

The award was given because the Waterside development has shown “an outstanding commitment in improving the image of construction, achieving exemplary standards in all areas of the Code of Considerate Practice.”

The award criteria took into account how the builders respected the local community, took care of the environment around the site and valued their workforce.

The University of Northampton has worked closely with Bowmer and Kirkland to ensure the development of Waterside has impacted as positively as possible on Northampton and the wider county.

This has included making sure apprenticeships and job placements have been filled by town and county residents and not predominantly with contractors from other locations and partnering with Northampton College to give work placements to students interested in engineering.

Most recently, an area of waste ground near to Waterside was transformed by Bowmer and Kirkland and fellow construction firm Kier from an eyesore into something more eye catching.

The improvement works consisted of a new timber fence being installed back from the footpath that runs along New South Bridge Road and the removal of overgrowing plants obstructing the path and the rubbish that had been left there.

Bowmer & Kirkland Contract Manager,  Nick McQuaid, said: “We are very aware of the impact construction activities can have on the environment and communities surrounding a development and we have worked very hard with the University to ensure our work has had a positive impact on the area.

“It’s satisfying that our efforts have been officially recognised by the CCS scheme which is dedicated to improving the image of construction.”

Simon Badcock, Project Manager and Quantity Surveyor at the University of Northampton, commented: “We at the University, and our construction firms, have been committed throughout the building of Waterside to be mindful of the impact we have on local people.

“Hard hats off, then, to the Bowmer and Kirkland team for their community spirit throughout the past three years, the silver award for Top Site of 2018 is thoroughly deserved.”

For more about Waterside, see our dedicated website.