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Capital job in Edinburgh city centre

Working on behalf of Scotland Gas Networks, Turriff* and May Gurney have successfully completed a high profile gas mains replacement project in the heart of Scotland's capital city.

The project is part of Scotland Gas Networks' policy replacement programme to replace all metallic gas pipes within 30 metres of property within the next 30 years. The works were completed to schedule and local residents and businesses have complimented the project team for its professionalism in a challenging location.

The project was located in Edinburgh city centre, at the east end of Princes Street under the shadow of Edinburgh Castle. The works comprised replacing cast iron pipes between 2” and 24” diameter with around 1,100 metres of polyethylene pipes of 63mm to 630mm diameter.

The project team utilised specialist equipment and techniques provided by UMS (Underground Moling Services), including suction excavators, horizontal directional drilling and under pressure drilling. UMS is a Turriff Group company specialising in ‘No-Dig' and ‘Lo-Dig' techniques for the installation of pipes, cables and ducts. These techniques can reduce the cost involved in cutting and digging trenches, and minimise inconvenience to the public and damage to the local environment.

Planning staff from Scotland Gas Networks, Turriff and May Gurney combined resources and engaged in dialogue with local highways authorities. After nearly two years in the planning, and following extensive traffic modelling, some major arterial roads were closed to allow works to commence. The project was completed on schedule in 24 weeks, with a number of local residents, businesses and local authority representatives commenting on how professionally it had been executed, given the challenging location.

While roads were closed, Scottish Gas Networks took the opportunity to extend the scope of works to replace the 15” cast iron main over the Dean Bridge, which was designed and built by Thomas Telford in 1831.

*Footnote: May Gurney acquired Turriff, one of Scotland's largest utility infrastructure maintenance companies, in January 2011.