National award for Bridgegate

The Bridgegate public realm project has gained national recognition with an award from the British Association of Landscape Industries.

Land Engineering received the BALI National Landscape Award for the redevelopment of the Bridgegate in Irvine.

The project was completed on behalf of Irvine Bay Regeneration Company as part of a wider programme of works in Irvine town centre being carried out in partnership with North Ayrshire Council.

The works involved a comprehensive programme of high quality public realm and streetscape improvements to transform and re-establish the area as a landmark location for Irvine town centre. Comprising high quality natural stone, the streetscape is enclosed by Rivergate Shopping Centre, Bridgegate House, High Street, Hill Street and A listed former Trinity Church.

National Award For Bridgegate

The outcome is an urban piazza, opening up connections to the landmark Trinity Church and bringing together the new and historic aspects of Irvine Town Centre, with some significant public art featuring in the redesign.

Patrick Wiggins, Chief Executive of Irvine Bay Regeneration Company, said: “This further prestigious recognition of the high quality of the work is very gratifying. We ensured that local people – in their hundreds – worked with the professional team in helping to shape some of the key elements of the work, which is designed to help create interest and footfall and help to revitalise the town centre.”

Substantial consultation was carried out with local people before and during the project. For example, a successful ‘pop-up-shop’ provided a place for over 500 people to share their views on the plans. 

The project follows on from successful public realm improvements in Kilwinning, also delivered by Irvine Bay and Land Engineering, which transformed the town centre and has seen an increased programme of events plus new retail businesses opening.

Receiving this award reinforces Land Engineering’s reputation as one of Scotland’s leading providers of hard and soft landscaping and public realm works. BALI awards are given to companies who demonstrate ‘exemplary standards of professional excellence.’ The award was in the category for hard landscaping (non-domestic).