Underground mapping News & views

Transport secretary approves notion to sell London carriageways to utility companies for roadworks.

https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/streets/lane-rental indicates that “The introduction of a targeted ‘lane rental’ scheme will allow TfL to charge companies a daily fee for digging up London’s busiest roads at the busiest times and will help incentivise more efficient working practices”.

The NCE reported on 19th March 2012 that Justine Greening has allowed, starting in June, for TfL to begin requesting up to £2,500 a day from utility companies, to dig up the busiest roads during peak times when road works cause the most disruption.

The idea is to limit the amount of time and disruption caused by the roadway being open, under excavation, by utility and telecommunications companies, whilst upgrading or repairing their apparatus.

As statutory undertakers, their records do not accurately identify the precise location or depths of the underground apparatus.

In order to increase efficiencies, underground utility mapping surveys should be carried out prior to excavation.

This would provide a more accurate picture as to where digging may need to take place and therefore decrease the amount of time that the roads are closed for, thus reducing the number of day’s rental, at up to £2,500 per day, required.

We would urge utility and telecommunications companies to invest in underground mapping from the outset, which could save thousands in the long term in lane rental costs. 

Not only this, an underground utility mapping survey would also provide an additional safety measure to those working on site.

By providing contractors with as much information as possible, this reduces the risk of digging into the unknown, significantly.

Should you commission underground mapping from the outset, your time on site will be decreased, your rental costs shall be cheaper, your risk on site would be reduced and your professional reputation would be enhanced.

More can be found at NCE online and tfl.gov.uk.