News
PBA’s Reading Market Place Improvements Shortlisted for ICE Award
11th May 2009
Peter Brett Associates LLP (PBA) has been shortlisted for the ICE Thames Valley Engineering Excellence Awards 2009 for the built environment improvements made to Market Place, Reading, on behalf of Reading Borough Council.
The accolade recognises the positive impact the scheme has had on the local area through the creation of a more cohesive flow of people from the existing pedestrian areas in the town.
“The project aims to help all the different users of the busy Market Place area move within the space more safely and easily,” said PBA’s project manager Simon Earl. “We also gave significant thought to the character of the area and made material choices that blend in with the existing buildings. The design was also influenced heavily by the setting and location of the Sir John Soane (architect for the Bank of England) designed Simeon Monument. Interestingly a key role for the monument in 1804 was to force ‘wagon drivers to take a more regular line across Market Place’ – a function it is still very much performing!”
Enhancements include the creation of a high-quality public space, linking existing pedestrian zones, new pedestrian crossings and cycle facilities, the restoration of the historic Simeon Monument, enhancements to bus stops including real-time passenger information, the re-surfacing of footpaths and provision of new street furniture, lighting and signage.
The annual ICE awards recognise the work of engineers across the Thames Valley region and celebrate projects that reflect the ICE’s global vision of “civil engineers at the heart of society, delivering sustainable development through knowledge, skills and professional expertise”.
The winners will be announced on 5th June 2009at the ICE Thames Valley Summer Ball, to be hosted by Royal Academy of Engineering Vice President Scott Steedman.