Central Scotland MSP, Graham Simpson, has lodged a motion in Parliament to highlight the achievement of AmcoGiffen, who picked up the Small Project Award at the Scottish Civil Engineering Awards 2020 – 2021. Mr Simpson hopes MSPs will show their support by signing the motion.
AmcoGiffen, a civil engineering contractor who are based in Cumbernauld, were recognised for their refurbishment work on the Leamington Lift Bridge on the Union Canal near Lochrin Basin in Edinburgh.
This work, which was funded by Scottish Canals and Sustrans, involved carrying out essential structural repairs to bring the historic hydraulic lift bridge back to full working order. This intervention will allow the bridge to continue operating as a key component of Scotland’s National Cycle Network Route 75, affording passage to waterway users, cyclists and walkers.
The Scottish Civil Engineering Awards are jointly managed by the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) Scotland and the Institution for Civil Engineers (ICE) Scotland. These are held every year to showcase engineering excellence in the built environment, celebrating innovation and the vital contribution that civil engineers make to designing, upgrading and maintaining Scotland’s critical infrastructure.
Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland said: “I want to congratulate the team at AmcoGiffen and their partners for receiving this award. Having previously met with CECA this month, I’ve seen first hand how important the work of these contractors are.
“It’s easy to forget how critical infrastructure, like the Leamington Lift Bridge, is for local communities. The work of AmcoGiffen will not only preserve this structure for many years to come but ensures people can continue to use the active travel routes which run alongside the Union Canal.
“I hope to visit AmcoGiffen soon to see more of their work first hand.”
Jonathan McAveety, Senior Media & Public Affairs Manager, CECA Scotland said: “We are delighted that the teams behind the Leamington Lift Bridge Refurbishment have received the recognition they deserve in the Scottish Parliament and we hope MSPs from all parties will back Graham Simpson’s motion.
“The Scottish Civil Engineering Awards are a timely opportunity to celebrate contractors like AmcoGiffen which have been working hard throughout the pandemic to upgrade and maintain our national infrastructure.
“We would encourage the Scottish and UK Governments to press on with plans to invest in infrastructure projects so contractors can get on with creating more well-paid, high-skilled jobs in Lanarkshire and right across Scotland. An infrastructure-led recovery is the tried and tested way of turbocharging the economy and speeding up the transition to net zero.”
