A303 Sparkford to Ilchester Project Wins Top Civil Engineering Award

A major road improvement scheme designed to tackle a long-standing congestion point on one of Somerset’s key transport routes has been recognised at the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) South West Civil Engineering Awards 2025, held in association with Kier BAM.

The £155 million A303 Sparkford to Ilchester dualling scheme, delivered by National Highways and contractor Galliford Try, received the Showcase Award — the event’s most prestigious honour.

The project upgraded 3.5 miles of the A303 from single to dual carriageway, including the construction of three new junctions, two major structures, and significant earthworks. The improvements are expected to reduce congestion, enhance safety, and improve journey reliability for both local traffic and long-distance travellers using the busy corridor between the South East and South West.

According to National Highways, for every £1 invested, the scheme is projected to deliver over £3 in economic and travel benefits, making it one of the region’s most impactful infrastructure upgrades in recent years.

The ICE judges described the project as a “landmark achievement”, highlighting its collaborative delivery approach and high engineering standards as examples of the South West’s growing infrastructure capability.

Miranda Housden, Regional Director at ICE South West, praised the quality and ambition of this year’s award winners:

“This year’s award winners reflect the outstanding skill, creativity and commitment driving civil engineering across the South West. It’s especially encouraging to see emerging talent celebrated alongside experienced professionals, with all finalists contributing to a vibrant and resilient industry.“Many of the winning projects stood out for their meaningful public engagement, showing how engineers are working closely with communities to shape solutions that truly serve them. These awards are a powerful showcase of the positive impact civil engineering delivers across our region.”