The 21st annual Highways Awards, which took place at the Park Plaza, Westminster Bridge, was a stunning success, with big names and underdogs all scooping the prestigious prizes.
Consummate professional, star BBC News correspondent, quiz show master and all-around legend Clive Myrie was on top form as he hosted a lively evening, opening with a speech that took in a sweep of references from his parents' part in the Windrush Generation to modern American politics.
The big winners on the night were Norfolk County Council. The authority's team secured both the Major Project Award and the Judges' Special Merit Award, which they almost missed as they were still celebrating their first gong backstage.
An honourable mention also goes to National Highways, which narrowly missed out on a handful of awards after being Highly Commended in a string of categories.
An excellent speech from the new president of the Institute of Highway Engineers and head judge, Katherine Kelly, highlighted the key theme of collaboration from this year's submissions. She urged everyone to balance online meetings with a more personal touch where possible, especially when it came to mentoring.
The most emotive moment of the evening came from Gerard McLarnon of Amey - the winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award. He looked back fondly on a wonderful career, in which he was guided by a central principle - 'never ask anyone to do something you wouldn't be prepared to do yourself'.
The WINNERS!
Active Travel Scheme of the Year:
Sponsored by Waterman Aspen
WINNER: Tarmac Trading Ltd and Crown Highways Ltd, Willenhall Greenway
Apprentice of the Year Award
Sponsored by The IHE
WINNER: Poppy Kennedy, Marlborough Highways
Best Use of New Technology Award
Sponsored by Re-flow
WINNER: AtkinsRéalis, The Insights Engine
Environmental Sustainability Award
Sponsored by Highways Magazine
WINNER: Balfour Beatty AtkinsRéalis, M25 junction 10/A3 Wisley interchange improvement
Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion Award
Sponsored by Highway Care
WINNER: Colas Ltd, Period Dignity: Ending the Stigma
Highway Partnership Award
Sponsored by WJ
WINNER: Milestone Infrastructure, The Oxfordshire Local SME Development Partnership
Major Project Award
Sponsored by Norse Group
WINNER: Norfolk County Council, Herring Bridge (Great Yarmouth Third River Crossing)
Michael Conway MBE Community Leaders Award
Sponsored by FM Conway
WINNER: Richard Hayes, The Institute of Highway Engineers
Product of the Year Award
Sponsored by GW Highways
WINNER: Aggregate Industries UK Ltd, Foamix ECO™ the first carbon-neutral material available for UK pavement construction.
Road Safety Scheme of the Year
Sponsored by Road Expo Scotland
WINNER: Westcotec Ltd, Collision avoidance system, Durham
Steve Berry Highways Authority Innovation Award
Sponsored by AtkinsRéalis
WINNER: Metropolitan Police Service - Commercial Vehicle Unit, Transport professionals, Toolbox Talk
Team of the Year Award
Sponsored by Associated Asphalt Contracting
WINNER: Multevo Ltd, Client Support Function Team - Revolutionising Highway Maintenance in Shropshire
The Digital Transformation Award
Sponsored by Bridge Design & Engineering
WINNER: Transport Scotland, The Asset Management Performance System (AMPS)
The Line Marking and Street Design Award
Sponsored by The RSMA
WINNER: Project Centre, Prince Regent Lane bus priority scheme
Worker and Site Safety Initiative Award
Sponsored by Traffex
Winner: Highway Care in partnership with National Highways, Kier Transportation and Versilis, Enhancing road worker and site safety through automation and innovation with SwiftGate
Special Merit Award
Sponsored by Maggie's Centres
WINNER: Norfolk County Council, Herring Bridge (Great Yarmouth Third River Crossing)
Lifetime Achievement Award
Sponsored by Kier
WINNER: Gerard McLarnon, Amey
