Celebrating Access and Inclusion at the Street Works UK Awards 2025

It was truly inspiring to attend the Street Works UK Awards last night, 16th October 2025, at the House of Commons in the historic Members’ Dining Room. The event brought together the biggest names in the industry to celebrate innovation, collaboration, and progress across the sector — from utility companies to contractors and training providers.

This year’s ceremony marked the launch of a brand-new category: Access and Inclusion in Street Works, sponsored by Virgin Media O2. I was incredibly honoured to be recognised for helping to shape this important new award, which celebrates organisations leading the way in creating safe, inclusive, and accessible environments for everyone — including blind and partially sighted people, wheelchair users, autistic individuals, and others with access needs.

I was proud to serve as a judge across all award categories, assessing entries from across the UK that showcased excellence and innovation in street works. However, when it came to the Access and Inclusion in Street Works category, I stepped aside from the judging process to ensure impartiality, as I had been consulted on one of the submissions. In fact, I was delighted to be part of the UIS partnership with Severn Trent, Blind Ambition, and Cadent Gas, one of the nominees for this groundbreaking award.

It’s heartening to see the street works sector embracing diversity and inclusion, not just as a tick-box exercise but as a genuine commitment to removing barriers and improving everyday experiences for disabled people.

A special mention goes to the nominees for this year’s Access and Inclusion in Street Works Award:

• Skewb

• UIS in partnership with Severn Trent, Blind Ambition, and Cadent Gas

• Transport for London

Congratulations to all those shortlisted and to everyone across the industry working to make our streets more inclusive and accessible. It was a privilege to meet and speak with so many passionate leaders, including Clive Bairstow, Chris Speight, and Ruth Cadbury MP, Chair of the Transport Committee, all of whom are committed to championing positive change in this space.

We look forward to seeing even more applicants for this prestigious award next year — and to continuing the journey towards truly inclusive street works across the UK.

“Inclusion isn’t just about compliance — it’s about compassion, collaboration, and creating streets where everyone feels safe.”
— Seema Flower