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Flat Holm heritage project wins twice at national construction awards. Thursday, 16 July 2026 The 'Flat Holm: A Walk Through Time' project has won two awards at the 2026 Constructing Excellence in Wales Awards. The project, which was funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund alongside investment from the island's owners Cardiff Council and delivered by Cardiff Harbour Authority, Knox & Wells, WSP and CMS Group secured both the Building Project of the Year (under £5m) and the Regeneration & Conservation Award. The multi-million-pound project, which also received in-kind support from partner organisations including the Flat Holm Society and RSPB Cymru, has seen the Grade II-listed foghorn station restored, the historic cholera hospital stabilised and improvements made to the island's Victorian water systems, alongside initiatives to improve habitats for the island's colony of lesser black-backed gulls, deliver new island trails, digital content and public art designed to encourage visitors and bring island life to the mainland. Cardiff Council Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, Cllr Jennifer Burke, said: "Winning two national awards is a fantastic recognition of the partnership working, expertise and dedication that has gone into protecting Flat Holm island's unique history and opening up its fascinating stories to new audiences." Knox & Wells Managing Director, Mike Baynham, said: "We are extremely pleased to see the restoration work delivered on Flat Holm Island receive such praise and recognition. Flat Holm is one of the most uniquely challenging projects that we have ever undertaken, with the island's remote location presenting logistical challenges far beyond any ordinary construction site. The project would not have been possible without the collaborative effort and passion of the entire team, who have taken immense pride in being part of this latest chapter of the island's history." Project Manager for Flat Holm, Technical Director, WSP UK and Ireland, Richard Wilks, said: "Restoring these two iconic buildings on Flat Holm demanded strong teamwork and precise planning. We're proud to have supported Cardiff Council in revitalising these integral pieces of the island's story, so people can continue to experience its intriguing and unique history." Director for Wales, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Andrew White, said: "Flat Holm is a unique place with a remarkable history and these awards are a testament to the vision and dedication behind the project. Thanks to National Lottery players, this project has protected important heritage, enhanced the island's natural environment and created new opportunities for people to experience and connect with its stories, both on and off the island. It's fantastic to see this work recognised at a national level." Located approximately five miles off the Cardiff coast in the Bristol Channel, Flat Holm (Ynys Echni) is the most southerly point of Wales and a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest and local nature reserve with internationally important wildlife. Despite its small size, the island has played a remarkable role in history. It was the site of the first successful wireless signal sent across open water in 1897, it housed a Victorian cholera isolation hospital and formed part of the UK's coastal defences during both Victorian times and the Second World War. Today, it is home to an important seabird colony, rare flora and fauna, as well as historic features including its iconic lighthouse, first built in 1737 to guide ships through the busy Bristol Channel.

Viaduct plan returns to committee. A major bridge repair project that caused a lengthy budget debate last fall will return to Prince Albert's Executive Committee on Monday, this time with a wider scope and a new timeline. The committee will review a report recommending that rehabilitation work at the 6th Avenue East viaduct be tendered after the 2027 budget is approved, with construction to follow in 2027. City reports refer to the site as two viaducts, one for southbound traffic and one for northbound traffic. The structures were built in 1976 and carry traffic over the Carlton Trail Railway tracks. Administration says they remain safe for short-term use with continued monitoring and minor maintenance, but both need work. The project was already before council during the 2026 budget process, when administration sought $1 million for rehabilitation of one structure. At the time, then director of public works Jeff Da Silva told councillors the City also had $150,000 budgeted for consulting work to investigate, design and potentially tender the project. Councillors raised questions during that meeting about whether the work could be split over two years, whether the rail line or insurance could be involved because of past damage, and whether road levy money or provincial funding could cover part of the cost. Da Silva told councillors the work being discussed then focused on one bridge deck, not both. He said there were concerns with structural damage to the bridge slabs and expansion joint. He also said some surface damage from a past incident did not appear to be structural and was "certainly not an emergency today." The new report says Public Works later hired WSP Canada to inspect and test both traffic structures. That work found moderate to severe deterioration in key parts of both, including girder ends, abutment bearing seats, barriers and expansion joints. Administration is now recommending the approved $1 million from the 2026 capital budget be carried forward to 2027. Any unspent money from the 2026 bridge inspection budget would also be carried forward. The report also asks that an extra $920,000 for the northbound structure be sent to 2027 budget talks. Doing both structures as one project could save up to $110,000 and keep traffic disruption to one construction season, according to the report. If approved through the 2027 budget process, the total rehabilitation budget would be $2.07 million, including the $1.15 million already approved and carried forward from 2026, plus the added $920,000 request. Committee members will also consider removing the City Hall mural painted in 1998 in memory of Dr. Ed Gaudet. A report from administration says the mural has badly deteriorated and can no longer be restored. A 2024 condition report found major paint flaking and fading from sun exposure. Administration is recommending the mural be removed at a cost of $8,694, with the money coming from the Public Art Reserve Fund. The report says the work would use a low-pressure steam cleaning system meant to remove paint while protecting the 'Tyndall stone' underneath. The report says the Gaudet family supports removal. The Public Art Working Group also recommends removing the mural and does not propose replacing it at City Hall. Other items on Monday's agenda include a proposed 2026-2031 agreement with CRL Engineering for TransitLivePA, a request from the Prince Albert Speed Skating Club related to crash mat replacement, SaskPower smart meter deployment information, April and May accounts payable reports, and the 2025 Prince Albert Fire Department year in review. Executive Committee meets Monday at 2 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall. [email protected] -Advertisement-

WSP to provide consultancy support on Borders Railway extension project. 3 July 2026 WSP has been contracted by Scottish Borders Council to provide specialist consultancy support in the first stage of the business case work required for the proposed extension of the Borders Railway to Hawick and Carlisle. The first package of work entails a transport appraisal which will help to develop a shortlist for a preferred option for the corridor and associated feasibility work. The second will see a growth prospectus created, which will look at other economic related opportunities in the area that will help to develop the strongest case possible. The work will contribute to the first stage of the business case process, the Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC). This is the first of three stages which will help to evaluate the potential benefits of developing better transport provision in Southern Scotland and Northern England. The SOBC work will take approximately 18 months to complete and is funded by both the UK and Scottish Governments through the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal. Councillor Scott Hamilton, Scottish Borders Council executive member for economic growth and developing the Borders, said, "This appointment marks another important step forward in the work to develop the case for extending the Borders Railway. The support from WSP will help ensure the Strategic Outline Business Case is thorough, evidence-led and focused on the long-term benefits for communities and economic growth across the region." Jake Cartmell, project director at WSP, added, "Scottish Enterprise is pleased to be supporting Scottish Borders Council on this important next stage of work to explore future transport enhancements in the corridor between Tweedbank and Carlisle, including the potential extension of the Borders Railway. "Our focus will be on providing robust, evidence-led advice to help inform the Strategic Outline Business Case, considering the transport, environmental and economic factors that will shape the long-term case for investment. This is an important opportunity to look carefully at how improved connectivity could support communities, businesses and sustainable growth across the Borderlands region."