Story Contracting is celebrating success at the CECA North West Annual Awards 2026, after securing a Project of the Year win and two Highly Commended awards.
Story Contracting and KeolisAmey Metrolink were named winners of Project of the Year (£1m–£5m) for the collaborative delivery of the Whitefield Tunnel project. The £2.2 million scheme saw Story Contracting deliver the core renewal works to the 140-metre tunnel, which carries two Manchester Metrolink lines beneath the A56 Bury New Road, Bank Street and neighbouring residential areas.
The project combined complex engineering with careful planning to deliver the renewal safely and on time. Working within a highly constrained site and around numerous live utilities, the team developed an innovative solution that allowed new precast units to be installed beneath critical services that could not be diverted. Extensive preparation and contingency planning also enabled the main works to be completed within a critical six-day Metrolink blockade, with the project handed back on time and without incident.
Reflecting on the award, Nick Coles-More, Programme Manager at KeolisAmey Metrolink, said: “It’s great to see Story Contracting Limited recognised for their successful delivery of the Whitefield Tunnel project at this years CECA North West Awards.
“This was a very challenging piece of work, renewing Victorian infrastructure, surrounded by multiple utilities assets, in an area not much bigger than a tennis court. Well done to all involved!”
Story also received Highly Commended recognition in the Project of the Year (£5m+) category for the A595 Grizebeck Improvement Scheme with Westmorland and Furness Council. The £16 million scheme delivered a new 1.4km bypass between Grizebeck and Chapels, replacing a substandard section of the A595 and improving safety, resilience and journey-time reliability for road users. The new road opened in August 2026.
Completing the evening’s success, Story Contracting’s collaborative work with Cumberland Council was also recognised as Highly Commended in the Collaborative Partnership category.
The three accolades recognise the collaborative approach behind Story Contracting’s project delivery and its partnerships with clients across the North West.
