Celebrations for sustainability at the BCI Awards 2025
The East West Rail Phase 2 Project has been named the winner of the Sustainability & Environmental Impact Award at the British Construction & Infrastructure Awards (BCIA) 2025.
Held on the 8 October 2025, in partnership with the Institution of Civil Engineers and New Civil Engineer, the BCI Awards celebrated the hard work and dedication of the whole project team, and with nearly 250 entries across 24 categories, from over 100 organisations, the 2025 finalists represent the very best in British construction and infrastructure.
The Sustainability & Environmental Impact Award recognises project teams that have introduced a specific project-based initiative to boost the whole life sustainability of the project or improve environmental sensitivity.
The East West Rail Alliance Phase 2 project was named the winner due to its commitment to environmental sustainability, innovation, and community engagement.
Delivered by the East West Rail Alliance, comprised of Network Rail, AtkinsRéalis, Laing O'Rourke and VolkerRail, the alliance attributed its success to a steadfast commitment to reducing environmental and sustainability impacts through thoughtful design, a proactive emphasis on habitat preservation, and the voluntary adoption of rigorous environmental standards.
As the first major rail infrastructure project to voluntarily commit to achieving a 10% biodiversity net gain, the East West Rail Phase 2 Project implemented a series of measures to surpass its ambitious target. The Alliance undertook an impressive 14,800 ecology surveys, established 200 hectares of Environmental Compensation Sites, and planted 480,000 trees. Ultimately, the Alliances efforts delivered a biodiversity net gain score of 11.14%. Furthermore, the project’s findings have also influenced fundamental changes in national environmental policy and guidance.
The BCI Awards commended the project for its thorough commitment to engagement, innovation and habitat preservation noting that it has set an industry benchmark in demonstrating how major infrastructure can be executed with both sensitivity and sustainability. The alliance maintained clarity of intent, set measurable targets, and delivered transparent outcomes.
Judges also highlighted the project’s forward-thinking nature in adopting the challenge voluntarily ahead of a legislative mandate, and on the passionate and engaging award submission presentation that reflected deep pride in the project and team.
Mark James, East West Rail Alliance lead commented: “It is a privilege for the alliance to receive such a prestigious industry award. The BCI Awards has clearly recognised not only the considerable volume of effort and excellent outputs achieved over the past six years, but also the positive impact outcomes of the project in terms of sustainability and environmental impact.”
East West Rail – Phase 2
The East West Rail project is a major railway programme aimed to deliver much needed transport connections for communities between Oxford and Cambridge.
Phase 2 of the project, to connect Oxford with Milton Keynes and Bedford, began 2021. Since then, 66 kilometres of new track has been laid, with the final section of track connecting Bicester and Bletchley completed on 7 March 2024; thus, connecting Oxford with Bletchley for first time in 50 years.
