Welcome to the August 2025 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.
Vac-tastic!
As works continue at our 33kV cable route in Northampton, our vacuum excavator is proving invaluable as we encounter areas that are heavily congested with services. It has been used to carry out trial holes along the route to establish a clear line for traditional excavation, and for clearing the trench route across existing services.
Power of the sun
This month we completed the construction of the concrete bases for GRP enclosures for both the DNO and client for a new solar farm in Warwickshire.
Our skilled team of form workers made light work of the complex steel work and formworks to ensure both structures were ready for the final lift of the enclosures into place. Given the levels of the site we have also constructed access steps and landing pads to ensure safe access/egress for both people and equipment maintenance.
The site will be able to generate 25MW of electricity, enough to power 7,091 homes. The UK has committed to becoming Net Zero by 2050 and a target to decarbonise the electricity grid by 2030. Tolldish Hall Farm Solar Project would support the UK’s transition to Net Zero and increase the use of renewable energy through supporting the availability of energy to the National Grid.
Precision work
During July and August, we have progressed with the civils works for a new EV hub at a retail park in Worksop. The scope of works included all HV and LV ducting for 5 new EV chargers, civils works associated with the (precast) HV substation base, resurfacing of car park and landscaping works.
There have been a few hurdles to overcome, one being the multiple levels throughout the build making this no straight forward install, however providing solutions and being flexible has has enabled the client to land the chargers as per design and crucially keep the project on track with the budget.
With the HV substation located adjacent to the access road to a Network Rail depot, we have had to carry out all carriageway work out of hours to ensure access is available during the day for train carriages!!
Strong foundations
Works completed this month on phase 2 EV infrastructure works for Arriva Leicester Bus depot. Works included 6 double EV charger concrete bases, below ground ducting and new Aco channel drainage.
This phase of works will enable another 12 EV chargers (24 charge points) to be commissioning, further progressing the operator’s journey towards their carbon footprint reduction.
On the buses
A busy month at Metroline bus depot in Potters Bar with the excavation and reinstatement of the trench across the length of the concrete yard along with the construction of the double DC charger plinths, metering plinth and carriageway chambers completed. All this carried out safely with minimum disruption and good co-ordination with the busy bus depot.
We also uncovered two decommissioned fuel tanks within the vicinity of our excavations for the HV TX and LV-DB bases.
Specialist contractors were used to make sure the tanks were purged and free from any flammable vapours and a gas-free certificate was issued to confirm the tanks were safe before the tanks were cut into using cold cutting techniques to allow our structural engineers to amend the design in that area.
We have started breaking out the concrete surround around the 2 fuel tanks to a depth of 1.7m from FFL to enable the tanks to be cut flush. We then need to Infill the fuel tanks with 150mm layers of type 1 stone & lean mix concrete to within 1.2m of external wall line before capping the tanks. We will then Install a 500mm layer of hardcore above tanks before continuing with the construction of the HV and LV-DB bases.
Highway working
August saw works commence in Oxford for a 1.3km HV installation feeding a new commercial development. With the route already very congested with existing services, the first phase of the works required the ducts to be laid in the carriageway (type 2).
When installing services within the highways, there is a statutory code of practice that we comply with when reinstating our excavations. This code of practice is known as the ‘HAUC’ specification (Highways Authorities & Utilities Companies). This specification provides guidance on the reinstatement detail for a given road specification. It is now in its 4th edition taking into account innovation in reinstatement techniques and materials.
Roads are categorised between Type 0 – Type 4 based on their traffic capacity (measured in millions of standard axles) to ensure appropriate reinstatement standards. An example of a Type 0 road would be a Motorway, and a Type 4 road would be a small side road/county lane.
For those of you wanting to learn more, visit this website.
Supporting our teams
Mental Health in the UK construction industry is a significant issue, with high rates of stress, anxiety, and depression, and suicide rates far exceeding the national average. Factors contributing to this include intense work pressures, job insecurity, long hours, financial worries, isolation, and a “macho” culture that discourages men from seeking help.
To further address this, efforts are underway within Lydon Contracting Ltd to eliminate the stigma behind Mental Health. We will be providing further training and support through internally trained staff and external organisations and encouraging greater transparency around mental health struggles in the workplace.
“Our Mental Health influences everything. Everything we think, do and feel. It affects our relationships, our work, and our physical health.”
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