Award winning contractor McPhillips has scooped another accolade for its ‘engineering excellence’ on a major £4.3m public realm scheme in Kidderminster. The Telford firm were in the running for Midlands Project of the Year in the £3m to £10m category at the Civil Engineering Contractors Award (CECA). They came out on top against their peers to win the award, while also being highly commended in the Midlands Client Team of the Year category. The award victory was for regeneration work McPhillips completed at Talbot Park earlier this year, with judges describing the work as a ‘standout project’, that was delivered with ‘engineering excellence, innovation and flawless safety’.
The major urban green space and public realm scheme involved creating a landscaped route in the town linking Worcester Street with Bromsgrove Street. The redevelopment has transformed a previously inaccessible stepped area into a modern, inclusive public space designed to improve movement through the town centre while creating a more attractive environment for residents, visitors and businesses. The project was part of a wider Wyre Forest District Council £20m transformation programme, funded through the Government’s Future High Streets Fund.
The accolade is the latest award for the company which was also named Community Champion of the Year at the 2026 Shropshire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.
Managing director Paul Inions said it was fantastic to have its work recognised by CECA industry experts as the best in the Midlands. He said: “This award really underlines the high-quality work delivered by everyone involved in the project, including our site team and partners.” “Talbot Park presented a complex scheme, with technical and logistical challenges, due to buried structures, complex blocks left from previous demolition works and steep site gradients. “The team had to demolish several buildings including a derelict former Woolworths store – and the fact it was a busy town centre location made it extra challenging, which makes the award and the outcome even more commendable. “Recognition like this reflects the standards we set ourselves on every job, and it is fantastic to see our hard work recognised by industry peers. “Public realm projects like this matter because they change how people experience their town centre on daily basis. “Congratulations to all those involved in the project on a well-deserved award.”
Director Stuart McKenzie added: “A huge well done must go to our team on the project and how they developed a good close working relationship with Wyre Forest District Council’s clients.”
Councillor Dan Morehead, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Planning and the Green Agenda, said: “This is fantastic recognition for Talbot Park and everyone who helped bring it to life. “The park has already become an important new space in Kidderminster town centre, giving families, residents and visitors somewhere attractive to enjoy. “The award is also a credit to the strong partnership between the council and McPhillips. Delivering a project like this in a town centre is not easy, and this recognition reflects the hard work, commitment and collaboration that went into creating a space the district can be proud of.”
Work commenced on the project in September 2024 and the new park opened to the public in May this year. The redevelopment transformed a previously inaccessible stepped area into a modern, inclusive public space designed to create more movement in the town and a more attractive area for locals. McPhillips carried out the extensive landscape works, as well as upgrading paving, putting in new seating and other public realm improvements. They also installed enhanced LED lighting to improve safety, along with a children’s play area, with disabled access introduced across the scheme.
