An innovative fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) lock gate project carried out by Huthwaite-based ECS Engineering Services has been shortlisted for Technical Innovation of the Year at The London Construction Awards.

Installed at Sunbury Dry Dock on the River Thames for the Environment Agency, the lock gates are the first set constructed from moulded FRP in the UK and offer reduced maintenance, lower whole-life costs, and increased sustainability compared to the previously-installed timber gates.

FRP uses features ‘InfraCore® Inside’ technology, patented by FiberCore Europe, with each panel having an expected service life of at least 100 years. Essentially maintenance-free, materially sustainable and relatively lightweight – FRP actively reduces the CO2 footprint of installations.

Steve Crapper, precontracts director at ECS, said: “We believe FRP offers a future-proof solution for durable, cost-effective, and low carbon installations on Britain’s inland waterways.”