Eakring Electricity Supply

As well as replacing the electrical supply, a key objective was the prevention of any future damage, requiring a new high voltage cable to be laid below ground and replacement of the low voltage supply to additional buildings.

As National Grid’s Building Surveyor, we provided design, procurement and contract administration, including management of external mechanical and electrical and civil engineering contractors.

National Grid teams use the site continuously with staff staying overnight within bedroom accommodation provided on site. We needed to ensure works maintained usage and security of the training centre at all times.

Our team had to work within National Grid's stringent health and safety. Particular risks for carrying out the trenching were preventing clashes with, or damage to, underground services, and managing safety of the excavation works and their proximity to people and construction equipment.

By engaging with the site facilities management team, we agreed the best times for deliveries and vehicle movements on site and carried out construction monitoring, including regular site visits and fortnightly safety inspections, producing full reports which we gave to National Grid. At completion, we were able to reassure them that all supplies were without fault and compliant with modern standards.

We prepared a pre-construction information pack and supported completion of design risk assessments and construction method statements. We chose the safest and least disruptive route for the trench, close to the site perimeter wherever possible; and, collaborating with the main contractor, used on-site traffic management to segregate works from National Grid's personnel, mobile plant and site visitors.