Ryebridge’s run of nominations for leading national awards continues…
Our work constructing a new mezzanine floor in the International Departures Lounge at London Luton Airport has been shortlisted in the Airport Achievement category for the Aviation Industry Awards UK 2025, an event which sees the cream of the United Kingdom’s aviation industry recognised and celebrated in front of hundreds of senior executives.
This recognises the challenges of constructing the 675 sq m floor in a live airport environment, a complex and extremely technical project delivered in partnership with the LLA Development Team, which required collaboration with designers, structural engineers, sub-contractors, airside operations, airport security, airport technical services, terminal duty managers and airport concessions.
The awards ceremony takes place on September 9 at the Park Plaza London Riverbank.
The mezzanine floor project has also secured us a shortlist place in the Innovation of the Year category of the National Building and Construction Awards, held at the Leonardo Royal London Tower Bridge Hotel on October 10.
Alongside that particular project, we have reached the finals of the NCBA’s Project of the Year (up to £10m) category for the Temporary Drop-Off Zone (TDOZ) at London Luton Airport, and the Community Engagement category for our social value work in Luton.
The TDOZ project was initiated following the fire and collapse of the multi-storey Terminal Car Park 2 in October 2023, and was deemed to be time critical due to the loss of revenue caused by the multi-storey car park fire.
The new TDOZ involved the relocation of the existing taxi rank, the diversion of the pedestrian walkway into the airport, a new car park, new street lighting, a new traffic system, a new barrierless payment system using ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition), plus new signage, lining and street furniture.
The project had to be phased in such a way as to keep the bus terminal live with no delays, while ensuring the relocation of the taxi rank without disruption, and keeping easyJet, goods in waste away and the executive car park fully operational.
It was completed in just 13 and a half weeks, far ahead of the original timetable of 20 weeks, and even quicker than a revised 16 weeks, ensuring it was ready for the start of the school holidays.
Ryebridge Construction’s finalist slot for Community Engagement comes after we were recognised as ‘hero stakeholder’ for the socio-economic value created because of our work with Luton Airport, the town and the surrounding region.
This means focus on supporting and promoting the town wherever possible, with more than 90% of site and office staff coming from the immediate area, a local supply chain and close links with nearby colleges and schools which ensures a steady flow of apprentices and work experience students.
This mutually-beneficial relationship also includes raising more than £400,000 for local charities including Keech Hospice, Level Trust, Luton Food Bank and Age Concern Luton - as we recognise they are the lifeblood of the local community - being an active member of Love Luton and sponsoring Luton Town FC.
We are committed to Luton becoming a healthy, fair and sustainable town offering opportunities for everyone to thrive, where nobody has to live in poverty, which also means supporting local charities and activities wherever possible.
Ryebridge managing director Sean Scully said: “We are genuinely humbled to be recognised for our work across these different awards and categories, and would like to thank everyone involved in these projects and initiatives for all of their hard work.
“While we’ll be keeping our fingers crossed for a win in the autumn, we’re just delighted to be able to celebrate these achievements with our partners and peers.”
The TDOZ at LLA.
The mezzanine floor in the International Departures Lounge at London Luton Airport.