A new commercial park being developed on a former greenfield plot on the eastern edge of Milton Keynes needed full underground utility infrastructure ahead of plot-by-plot sale. The developer chose a single common service trench approach to avoid four separate utility contractors digging four separate trenches.
We delivered the trench and duct package — then sequenced each utility contractor's cable and pipe install through the same corridor in turn.
What the job involved
- 1.2km of common service trench in phased lengths matching the road build sequence.
- Multi-utility separation to NJUG standards.
- Ducts laid for LV (6-way), street lighting (2-way), telecoms (4-way) and water mains.
- Pre-cast service chambers at plot frontages and route intersections.
- Backfill, sub-base preparation and handover to the roads contractor.
Key challenges
- Cold weather working through January — frozen ground delays managed with heated covers.
- Two unforeseen archaeological finds delayed central section by a week — managed through programme float.
- Water table was higher than design assumed — additional pumping plant required.
Outcome
- Trench package handed over with no clashes between any of the four utility installs.
- Roads contractor able to mobilise straight onto compacted sub-base.
- Developer signed us up for the next phase before the first phase completed.
A common trench works if the contractor running it actually coordinates with everyone else. These guys do — that's why it works.
— Development Manager, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
Need something similar?
If you're planning a utility trenching job across North London or the Home Counties — talk to us about scope, sequencing and a price. We work directly with DNOs, ICPs, main contractors and developers.