Underground mapping News & views

Geotec Surveys have been awarded the underground utility mapping contract by the Electricity Alliance East (EAE) for the proposed overhead power distribution network upgrade between Norton and Spennymoor in North East England.

This prestigious upgrade of the national electricity distribution network is a key project in ensuring the UK supply of power is reliably and efficiently delivered from power stations to local electricity company networks.  
With safety being EAE’s driving force and a Zero Harm target being aimed for, the Alliance is keen to map  any underground services that may be located on their sites.  Whether they are at locations where excavations are planned, or where temporary tack way roads are to be laid and heavy vehicles driven over them, managing the danger that these hidden assets can pose is paramount.
Along with the safety benefits of knowing where underground services lie, there is also the planning and execution of the work that benefit from knowing what lurks underfoot.  By being able to plan the route that avoids most of the services, and then utilise the correct tools and manpower when on site, ensures that costs are kept low, yet productivity and efficiency are kept high.
With this in mind, Geotec Surveys and EAE look forward to a continued strong long term relationship. It aims to ensure that a free flow of ideas and techniques can be shared and encourages suggestions on how best to improve safety and planning around underground utilities on major contracts.