The Gold Award, one of only 99 presented across the country, was presented at the Considerate Constructors Scheme National Site Awards 2015.The awards encourage best practice across the construction industry and works to improve the overall image of the industry by specifically highlighting good work in the areas of community, workforce and the environment.

The Stoke Gifford train maintenance centre, a maintenance hub for the new Hitachi Rail Europe trains on the Intercity Express Programme, was praised for their work with the local community around the site.

The award judges had particular praise for the work staff is doing in support of the community which includes volunteering and donations to the Julian Trust homeless shelter. The site has also provided a number of work experience placements for local schools and colleges and established a partnership with The Prince’s Trust to help develop young people’s skills. Hitachi Rail Europe and VolkerFitzpatrick are also continuing their support of local groups with the sponsorship of the Little Stoke Bee Keeping Society and Chippenham Sodbury RFC. The installation of a memorial bench in Royal Victoria Park commemorating the Centenary of the First World War has also been completed.

The site team have regularly engaged local residents with updates on work and pursued considerate working practices, such as the undertaking of the majority of works during day time hours.

Paul Lilley, VolkerFitzpatrick contracts manager, said: “We are delighted to be awarded this great prize. We place huge importance on engaging and supporting the communities in which we work and it is wonderful to see that the work done by the Stoke Gifford team has been rewarded in such a way.

"We are all really proud of our achievements here and our work with Hitachi Rail Europe to build a legacy in the local area for the benefit of residents for years to come.”

Ross Cunningham, Head of Property and Construction at Hitachi Rail Europe added: “We are delighted to see the hard work of VolkerFitzpatrick and Hitachi Rail Europe recognised with this prestigious construction industry award and would like to take the opportunity to congratulate VolkerFitzpatrick for producing a construction site of the highest standards.   “This gold award is a reflection of the way our two organisations have worked closely together to ensure that the voices of local residents are heard and that we produce a positive working environment for everyone involved in the construction of the train maintenance centre.” 

The Stoke Gifford train maintenance facility is due for completion on programme in early 2016.