Welcome to the November 2023 newsletter from Lydon Contracting Ltd. We're proud of the work we do and want to share our latest news, useful information and staff updates.
By the river
During November we completed a 110 linear metre directional drill under the River Nene to install 3no.180mm SDR ducts.
The process of directional drilling has developed from guided borehole techniques used in the oil industry. The drilling head creates a bore through which a product/pipe can be installed. The boring technique is a closed system such that the material excavated at the head is passed back along the bore by a drill fluid that is designed also to seal the bore. The seal prevents the permeation of the fluid into the surrounding ground such that there is no effect on the character of that surrounding ground.
As part of our preliminary works, we carried out boreholes that highlighted the ground was made up of mainly rock at the depth we needed to be under the River Nene. Given the depths of the drill, temporary works were installed at the reception pit and a specialist Ditch Witch Drilling Rig AT60 (including mud mixing system, recycling system, and a Slurry tanker) were required to complete the work.
With the drill successfully complete, the final cable has been installed for the 4.2km 11kV dual circuit supply for a new housing estate.
Working with asbestos
Installing a new 11kV circuit at Bedford Hospital we came across asbestos in the ground. Our SHEQ team were quick to react and gave extra training to the operatives with the assistance of a specialist asbestos management company.
The additional measures put in place included:
- • Asbestos Awareness update and operation specific training
- Updated face-fit testing
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) inc. type 5/6 cat.3 coveralls, gloves, and respirators with FFP3 filters (RPE)
- UKAS accredited daily air monitoring - Includes boundary and/or personnel monitoring at 4-6no. locations, mobile laboratory, and reporting suite.
- Decontamination unit
- Dust suppression - low pressure water sprayer/bowser
- Sealed transportation and offsite disposal of asbestos contaminated subsoils (including waste classification and hazardous waste transfer documentation).
All of this ensured the teams on site were safe, there were no delays to the programme and the client had their cable installed on time!
Major Diversions
During November we completed the construction of 6no. JRF1110C concrete BT chambers for some major diversion works to accommodate a new '12-way' diversion route to allow BT to upgrade the network in the area. All works had to be delivered within a 4-week window (including the civil duct installation works).
Given the time of year this was somewhat challenging with several unforeseen issues encountered however the teams managed to overcome them all to enable the completion within the programme window.
On the flight-path
Our major project at Stansted has progressed well this month with a second work head now opened.
Given the congestion of the route (we needed to excavate and install our ducts next to live 33kv cables, independent gas, and data networks) we have had regular visits from the LCL vacuum excavator to trial hole the route ahead always ensuring safe digging.
On the approach to a bridge underpass the trench route had to divert into the carriageway, with 24hrs notice we deployed our Topcutter to site to make light work of the 150 linear metres of carriageway.
Over £6500 raised for Movember!
November was a big month for fundraising with our annual support for the Movember foundation. During the month we held a bake-off competition in the office and hosted the Movember quiz at The Towcestrians Rugby Club.
The event was well supported with over 120 people attending raising a whopping £6892.00! Since 2003, Movember has funded more than 1,250 men’s health projects around the world, challenging the status quo, shaking up men’s health research and transforming the way health services reach and support men.
A huge thank you to all those who supported this event.
NERS Audit - MOTO Service Station, Castle Donington.
Taking the Chequered Flag!
This month saw our Quarter 4 NERS Audit taking place at MOTO Service Station at Donington, Nottingham where we are currently undertaking a civils scheme for the addition of EV Charger Units within the car park.
The audit covered site safety, personnel, vehicles, and NERS compliance which involved the site paper trail, proof of competencies for all members of the working party, along with vehicle checks to ensure all safety and well-being characteristics were covered.
A practical assessment was conducted on how we carry out a ducting installation to specification on site, this was displayed with confidence by the site team.
The audit was completed in a timely manner, with an impressive team effort, achieving 100% on our final NERS audit of the year.
Investing in quality equipment
Our road fleet had a great November with the delivery of 4 brand new Renault Masters which have now been kitted out ready to hit the roads.
Quotation of the month!
We have all enjoyed taking part in Movember and we thought the words of Richard Branson were quite approriate
“Doing good is good for business” - Branson Richard
Thanks for reading!
Cuttle Mill Nursery, Cuttle Mill Lane, Paulerspury, Towcester NN12 7LZ
info@lydoncontracting.com | 01327 811533 | www.lydoncontracting.com
Company Registration No. 3742284