A regional DNO running a major network refurbishment across Birmingham needed HV spiking capacity on framework. Twenty-two separate cables — a mix of 11kV and 33kV — required spiking and cutting over three weeks, with phased switchgear and substation works following each spike.
We mobilised a two-team spiking crew to keep up with the DNO's programme — one team on 11kV, one on 33kV, planned day by day.
What the job involved
- 22 HV spikes carried out across 15 sites over three weeks.
- Daily handover briefings with the DNO works supervisor.
- Remote-fired spike guns with full exclusion zones across all sites.
- Same-day photo records and sign-off uploaded to the DNO framework portal.
- Coordination with the switchgear and jointing crews following each spike.
Key challenges
- Two cables had inaccurate route records — re-traced and verified before spiking.
- One urban site had three live HV cables adjacent — full exclusion zone planning critical.
- Programme density required two simultaneous teams with shared on-call supervisor.
Outcome
- All 22 spikes completed inside the three-week window.
- Zero programme slip across the DNO refurbishment package.
- Framework extended for the next regional cycle.
Two teams working in parallel across a city is a stress test. They passed it without us having to call in a third party once.
— DNO Senior Project Manager, Birmingham, West Midlands
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