VolkerHighways has been awarded a National Silver Award at the 2016 Green Apple Environment Awards. The trophy was presented in the Houses of Parliament on 11 November and recognises the team’s environmental work with London Borough of Hackney.
The award sits within the category of ‘Environmental Best Practice’ and is the second Green Apple Award VolkerHighways has received, for their work in Hackney.
Their collaborations include a number of environmental projects, such as the construction of Cycle Superhighway Route 1, part of a dedicated network of cycle routes throughout London.
VolkerHighways also sponsored and participated in Hackney’s ‘Bike around the Borough’ event, which saw 874 cyclists ride nine miles, in an attempt to break the world record for the most riders in a ‘bike bus’.
In addition, the team’s improvements to Hackney’s cycle network have made travelling by bike safer and more accessible for residents. This has also helped to decrease noise and emissions, through the reduced use of private and public transport.
As a Green Apple Award winner, the business has been invited to have their winning paper published in The Green Book, the leading international work of reference on environmental best practice.
Jason Convey, environmental manager at VolkerHighways said: “This latest Green Apple Award, our third in four years, is testament to our commitment to environmental sustainability. This is reflected through our work in constructing and maintaining UK highway infrastructures, as well as our support of local environmentally focused events. Following VolkerHighways being appointed as a Green World Ambassador earlier this year, we are delighted to have our work recognised through this award.”
The Green Apple Awards’ judging panel said: “An ethos of sustainability and accessibility informed VolkerHighways’ construction of one of the largest pedestrian-friendly shared space junctions in the world, in a project encompassing a cycle superhighway and sponsored cycling events. The project is both environmentally and user-friendly.”
About the awards
The Green Apple Awards began in 1994 and are organised by The Green Organisation, an international, independent, non-political, non-profit environment group dedicated to recognising, rewarding and promoting environmental best practice around the world.
The awards are supported by the Environment Agency, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, the Chartered Institution for Wastes Management and other independent bodies.