Salisbury park project recognised for ‘unequalled’ achievements
Salisbury River Park, a multi-purpose project led by the Environment Agency in partnership with Wiltshire Council and Salisbury City Council, has won two categories at the national British Construction & Infrastructure Awards (BCIA).
The project scooped both the Environmental Project Award and the Placemaking Project Award from what the judges described as “a very strong field”.
The brief for Salisbury River Park initially emerged in response to significant flooding in 2013/14 which impacted locations around the city.
With flood risk only due to increase, mitigation measures were necessary. But after the Novichok poisoning incident in 2018 and its profound reputational impact on the city, the project was also an opportunity to realise other positive environmental, amenity and economic benefits.
Since its development, the park has become well used and valued by locals, having improved residents’ and visitors’ access to the River Avon.
Moreover, the creation of a new wetlands area and improvements to the river channels has enhanced the ecological health of the unique chalk streams that run through Salisbury.
A sustainable and resilient public space, built collaboratively
Sustainability and overall improvement of climate resilience were fundamental components of the scheme. Tarmac was replaced with green infrastructure and over 1,000 trees were planted, both measures that will help the park stay cooler in hot weather.
Collaboration and community involvement were also core to the approach. Funding was secured from a wide range of sources, including DEFRA flood risk funding, Local Enterprise Partnership growth funding, National Highways, Active Travel England, the Department for Education, the Forestry Commission, and from both Wiltshire and Salisbury Councils.
Organised by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and New Civil Engineer (NCE) magazine, the British Construction & Infrastructure Awards took place on 14th October 2026 at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel in London.
The BCIA judges praised the project’s particularly strong commitment to climate resilience and how the space would work for the community and said, “This holistic approach was considered unequalled and made Salisbury River Park a worthy winner.”
Malcom Jackson, Interim Regional Director for the ICE in the South West, said, “Salisbury River Park demonstrates how infrastructure solutions can deliver things like flood risk management and so much more. This park has supported active travel, improved resilience, biodiversity and access to nature. It’s a fantastic example of how infrastructure can genuinely improve lives; providing a beautiful space for people to enjoy while safeguarding communities.”
Ron Curtis, Flood and Coastal Risk Manager at the Environment Agency said, “We are thrilled that our Salisbury River Park project has won these awards, especially considering how strong all the shortlisted projects were. We are particularly pleased to see this approach, where we have worked in partnership with Wiltshire and Salisbury councils to achieve multiple objectives, being recognised. We hope this project can provide the blueprint for similar projects to be developed in the future.”
Gavin Pearson, Editor, NCE, added, “These awards celebrate the best of the best across construction and infrastructure industries, not just in what they achieve in terms of the projects they deliver, but the incredible vital impact they have on the health, wellbeing and prosperity of communities and the country as a whole.”
Salisbury River Park is also shortlisted for the regional ICE South West Civil Engineering Awards 2026, which will be announced in Bristol on 12th November 2026.
Pictured: The Salisbury River Park has reduced flood risk for 350 properties and improved 13 hectares of public space (IMAGE: Kier)
