THERE were big celebrations for Somerset Council members this week after they won three prestigious awards for sustainability and innovation, following key development and transport projects.

The council, alongside its appointed contractor Milestone Infrastructure, won the Transportation Infrastructure Project of the Year and the Sustainability Award for the Firepool Northern Boulevard scheme in Taunton.

None of the waste generated by the work went to landfill – it was all reused as part of the construction. The project achieved carbon savings of 26,481kg CO2e in transport alone, and reduced the impact on the local road network.

Around 7,500 tonnes of material was reused, avoiding the need to use “virgin” materials on the project, resulting in a cost saving of £140,000.

The green link will soon provide a walking and cycling route from the railway station, past the Firepool Innovation Centre and connect Trenchard Way to Canal Road. It is scheduled for completion later this month.

As well as the space for walkers and cyclists, the route features seating and green spaces/rain gardens for people to stop and relax.

Funded by a government grant, the boulevard will be a safe, green thoroughfare for people travelling from the north of the town towards the centre – including thousands of cricket fans heading for the Somerset County Cricket Ground from the station.

It promises to transform the way residents can travel into town, encouraging people out of cars and onto feet and bikes, with all the health and environmental benefits that come with it.

The work is the first half of a £13.96-million project that will eventually create a 1.5km long safe, accessible and enjoyable cycling and walking link all the way from the railway station to Vivary Park. The southern section is due to be completed by the end of July. Both parts of the scheme is being delivered through Future High Street Funding.

The council also won the Innovation Award for an Innovate UK funded project with partners City Science. The project, called ‘Revolutionising Rural Transport’, is a data analytics-based project to help the Council build a social needs assessment tool for public transport. This work was also commended under the category of transportation project of the year.

Councillor Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council lead member for transport and waste said: “Congratulations to the successful teams – awards like this help put Somerset and its innovative approach firmly on the map.

“Winning Project of the Year is a huge achievement, and the awards reflect the importance we place on sustainability, public transport and creating safe, accessible and attractive routes for walkers and wheelers.”