A graduate bridge engineer from Hull has been chosen to represent the region in the national final of an engineering competition.
Grant Bellis, a graduate bridge engineer from Hull who works for Mason Clark, was the outright winner of the regional final of the Institution of Civil Engineers’ (ICE) Pitch 200 competition, where engineers explain a civil engineering concept or project to the general public in the most engaging and creative way in only 200 seconds.
At the event Grant was joined by five other contestants from Yorkshire and Humber to deliver their presentations in front of a public audience at The Network Rail York Engineers’ Triangle.
Grant’s winning pitch focussed on bridge maintenance,discussing how bridges are maintained, explaining why maintenance of bridges is so important, how bridges are regularly inspected in the UK and the various means of access used to inspect the parts of a bridge.
He then discussed how the findings from inspections are used to inform maintenance works and provided a quick summary of how various elements of bridges are maintained and replaced.
Penny Marshall, Regional Director of ICE Yorkshire and Humber, said: “Pitch 200 is always a fascinating opportunity to hear our members’ ideas, and see them bring civil engineering projects and concepts to life in unique ways.
“This year’s pitches were all really interesting and engaging, so choosing a winner was really difficult, but Grant’s pitch really stood out. We wish him lots of luck in the final.”
Grant said: “I’m delighted to have won the regional final. Civil engineering can seem like a dry topic to the uninitiated but events like Pitch 200 really make it accessible and interesting for everyone.
“Bridge maintenance works are something which can affect a large number of public road users so I hope I can help to justify why they are needed and how we do try to minimise the disruption caused by them. Thank you to the event organisers and the judges.”
Grant will compete against other regional winners from across the UK and around the world in the Pitch 200 Grand Finale, to be held in Belfast later this year.
