Cheshire East Council has been roundly mocked after promoting an awards success for one of its contractors on social media.

The council posted plaudits to highways service provider Ringway Jacobs after it picked up an award from Highways Magazine, the national trade publication for the roads and infrastructure sector.

The prize was for work on rebuilding a collapsed retaining wall between Bollin Grove and the River Bollin, in Prestbury and was not the first time this year the project was recognised.

In May the project team behind it were highly commended in the IHE Mercia Branch Awards 2022.

The project involved laying two large pipes to carry the diverted River Bollin and the river dammed upstream so that engineers could access the riverbed and work in dry conditions. 

New concrete foundations for the wall were constructed and a previously hidden foul sewer supported. Staff rebuilt the stone wall to match the original construction and maintain its visual appearance.

The latest award, presented at a black tie event at London's Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, recognised 'innovative and professional achievement' as well as cost savings, team building, efficiency and safety.

Celebrating the success, Cllr Craig Browne, Cheshire East Council's chair of highways and transport, said: "I want to congratulate the team on receiving this award.

"Clearly, this required much expertise and careful planning, and they were able to complete this project to their usual high standard and in a timely fashion, with minimal disruption."

Ian McLauchlan, Cheshire East highways bridge manager, said: Great innovative engineering solutions and focused teamwork through our supply chain partners, engineers and workforce enabled the reconstruction of the wall while maintaining high levels of safety and environmental protection."

However, the news didn't quite meet with the same level of pride and appreciation when the council posted details of the success on its social media platforms.

On its Facebook page, more than 400 comments, most of them hostile and critical of the council's highways maintenance, have been posted to date.

However, some of the posters did give credit to a second award picked up at the event in London, also flagged up by the council.

Daniel Johnson received the apprentice of the year award after judges praised his willingness to learn and develop new skills in a very competitive field. They added that the faith his employers place in him is 'testament to his potential within the industry'.

Daniel Johnson.

Daniel, 27, who joined Ringway Jacobs as an apprentice in 2020, said: "I want to thank everyone who has supported me through my journey as an apprentice. The time and effort my team have invested in my growth both professionally and personally has meant a lot to me, and I couldn't have done it without them."

Daniel has worked as a highways operative across a number of schemes, including highways repairs, the A51 at Nantwich, Castle Street public realm, in Macclesfield, and cycle routes in the Wilmslow area. He completed his apprenticeship at Telford College where he won an 'outstanding achievement and highway maintenance' award.