An innovative fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) lock gate project carried out by ECS Engineering Services has been shortlisted for Technical Innovation of the Year at The London Construction Awards. Installed at Sunbury Dry Dock on the River Thames for the Environment Agency, the lock gates are the first set constructed from moulded FRP in the UK.
The London Construction Awards celebrates innovation across London’s construction industry. Taking place on 23rd September at the Leonardo Royal London Tower Bridge Hotel, ECS will join nominated contractors, developers, architects, civil engineers and suppliers at the event.
Designed, constructed and installed by ECS on behalf of the Environment Agency, the new FRP lock gates at Sunbury Dry Dock offer significantly reduced maintenance, lower whole life costs and increased sustainability compared to the previously installed timber gates.
The FRP used features ‘InfraCore® Inside’ technology, patented by FiberCore Europe, with each panel having an expected service life of at least 100 years. Essentially maintenance-free, materially sustainable and relatively lightweight – FRP actively reduces the CO2 footprint of installations.
As municipalities look to reduce the emissions of infrastructure projects and maintenance operations, FRP lock gates provide a proven, durable solution for inland water control installations. This has been recognised by the awards in the Technical Innovation of the Year category, which highlights products for the built environment with innovation at their core.
“We are pleased to have this landmark project nominated at the awards,” says Steve Crapper, Precontracts Director at ECS. “We are a leading electromechanical solutions provider to the UK water sector, working closely with government institutions, local authorities and private companies. With our experience building, installing and maintaining lock gates nationwide, we believe that FRP offers a future-proof solution for durable, cost-effective and low carbon installations on Britain’s in-land waterways.”