THE Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) North East is urging those companies behind some of the region’s most eye-catching building projects not to miss the deadline for its prestigious Robert Stephenson Awards 2011.

The awards are aimed at highlighting outstanding examples of design and construction undertaken either within the region or by companies or organisations which are based in the North East.

Prizes in two categories – for projects valued greater than £4m and those valued at less than £4m – will be awarded at the ICE North East annual dinner on Thursday, April 14, at the Newcastle Marriott Gosforth Hotel.

Additional awards may also be given for projects that are particularly environmentally sustainable, help to contribute to the preservation of the region’s heritage, or where innovation features strongly.

Last year saw The Newland Court flood relief scheme in South Tyneside – submitted by Northumbrian Water, Mott Macdonald and the contractor Seymour – receive the top prize in the under-£4m category, while the award in the £4m-plus group went to the reconstruction of Tees River Bridge in Stockton, which was submitted by Network Rail, HBPW Consulting Ltd and Carillion Civil Engineering.

Jason Boddy, regional chairman of ICE North East, said: “This is an opportunity for the industry to come together to celebrate civil engineering in the North East, so those who want their achievements to be a focal point of our annual dinner should act now to get their entries in.”

Entries should be in by noon on January 21. For more information visit www.ice.org.uk/northeast.