Blackpool rollercoaster wins civil engineering award

By Tim Aldred

22 Mar 2019

icon-civil-engineering-award.jpg

ICON, the newly-opened rollercoaster at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, has been recognised at the Institution of Civil Engineers North West awards.

The UK’s first double launch rollercoaster, ICON takes thrill-seekers beyond 50mph and up to 30 metres into the air.

Preston-based Westlakes Engineering teamed up with Mack Rides of Germany to combine engineering expertise with knowledge of human physiology to develop the safe yet exciting attraction.

The ride’s 1,143 metre track ‘interacts’ with other famous rides like the Big Dipper and Steeplechase and was virtually mapped by Westlakes before work began on site, using a system called 3D BIM Modelling to ensure that ICON could fit into what is already the world’s most ride intensive amusement park. Blackpool Pleasure Beach says it is the most complex technology ever seen in its theme park.

Emma Antrobus, north west director of the Institution of Civil Engineers, said: "For this award we were looking for excellence and imaginative concepts in civil engineering and this complex ICON project certainly delivers.

"It’s a great advertisement showing the breadth of civil engineering, highlighting it as a brilliant career and delivering something which will thrill and delight thousands of people for years to come."

Chris Pratt, director at Westlakes added; “The engineering in a rollercoaster is complex and building one like ICON in such limited space was very challenging. But it is great experience for the team, you don’t forget it.

"Thirty years ago one of my most memorable projects as a young engineer was the design of the Avalanche ride at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, and our team has been working on rides like this ever since."

Steve Hughes, director of engineering and projects at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, added: “ICON really has been the most challenging, but also most rewarding, project that we have ever undertaken at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

"When planning and constructing ICON, there were so many factors which other amusement parks would never have to consider such as proximity to other rides and the fact that we had to put the foundations into challenging ground conditions. Taking all these factors into consideration, we are delighted with the end result and ICON truly is an engineering marvel.”

The project’s award win for Medium Project of the Year was announced at the ICE North West Annual Awards dinner at the Hilton where ICE president Andrew Wyllie presented the trophies.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

Beever and Struthers advise on £1.5bn funding for 2,000 new social homes a year John Jones

Beever and Struthers advise on £1.5bn funding for 2,000 new social homes a year

03 Jul 2025

2

Airframe Designs aligns with US programme for additive manufacturing growth Additive manufacturing technology unit At Airframe Designs

Airframe Designs aligns with US programme for additive manufacturing growth

03 Jul 2025

3

Panache Cruises on course for further growth with support from Rosebud James Cole

Panache Cruises on course for further growth with support from Rosebud

03 Jul 2025

4

Lancashire emerges as key player in UK's Defence and Tech Sector Mo Isap Chair Of The Lancashire Business Board Nick Miles National Cyber Force Deputy Director For Samlesbury Annette Weekes Representative Of The NWRDSC

Lancashire emerges as key player in UK's Defence and Tech Sector

03 Jul 2025

5

Report shows impact of BAE Systems in Lancashire BAE Systems Radar

Report shows impact of BAE Systems in Lancashire

02 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers
Champagne-Jewellery 10 07 25_page-0001.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers

Blackburn Cathedral, Blackburn, BB1 5AA

18:00 - 20:30

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast
talentreimaginedbb.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast

Strawberry Fields Digital Hub, Chorley, PR71PS

08:00 - 10:30

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin