Standout win for Mott MacDonald Bentley at industry awards

Mott MacDonald Bentley's (MMB) Faringdon storage solutions scheme, delivered for Thames Water secured the 'UK Project with a Geotechnical Value of between £500K and £1M' Award at the annual Ground Engineering Awards.

Delivered on behalf of Thames Water, Mott MacDonald Bentley’s Faringdon storage solutions scheme forms part of a wider programme to improve stormwater management and support future WINEP and Environment Agency requirements.

The project involved the design and build of a new combined sewer overflow (CSO) and screening chamber, storm storage provision, a return pump station, and associated infrastructure. However, the original concept centred on a large open-cut excavation, which presented significant challenges due to complex ground conditions, environmental constraints and limited working space.

Through early geotechnical assessment and detailed analysis, MMB identified substantial risks linked to slope stability, groundwater and proximity to protected woodland. In response, the team led a full design review, working closely with Thames Water and H&B Tunnelling to develop a more robust and sustainable solution. The adopted shaft solution significantly reduced the excavation footprint, minimised environmental impact and removed the need for complex temporary works, ultimately delivering a safer, more efficient and more buildable scheme.

The judges highlighted the project’s “understanding of ground conditions and associated geotechnical risks”, while the use of a “three-dimensional ground model gave the team the foundation needed to challenge the initial design and deliver a more elegant and efficient engineering outcome."

Dr Mark Edmondson, MMB’s regional discipline lead for geotechnics and ground engineering, added: “It is rewarding to see such positive feedback and clearly demonstrates the true value our integrated technical disciplines bring to delivering successful outcomes for our clients.”

Commenting on the award win, Dan Buxton, director, said: “We’re really pleased to see the Faringdon scheme recognised at this year’s Ground Engineering Awards. It’s a great example of how early geotechnical insight and collaboration can drive better, safer and more sustainable outcomes for our clients.”

MMB was well represented across the awards, with the Cleobury Mortimer STW AMP7 replacements works, delivered in partnership with Severn Trent being highly commended by the judges in the ‘UK Project with a Geotechnical Value of between £1M and £3M category’. Whilst the project team for Springwell Enhancements, delivered in collaboration with Northumbrian Water, was also shortlisted in the ‘UK Project with a Geotechnical Value of between £3M and £10M' category.

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Find out more about our award-winning projects in our latest annual review.