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A successful partnership in Kinver

We’ve successfully completed the challenging task of replacing a water main running through the town of Kinver in Staffordshire – while co-ordinating a range of other utility/infrastructure upgrades which were carried out at the same time.

The scheme is part of a long-term framework to renew approximately 150km of water mains over three years for our customer South Staffs Water.

We worked collaboratively with Staffordshire County Council to mimimise disruption to the local community, and co-ordinated other work including: trunk main and supply electric installation; renewal of medium pressure gas main; installation of BT cabling and boxes; street lighting column erection; and upgrading and re-positioning of bus stops and traffic calming.

We consulted with local businesses to agree the best time for the work to take place (results showed the summer holiday period) and worked closely with our supply chain partners Traffix to design an efficient traffic management system and avoid any road closures.

To further minimise disruption we deployed specialist trenchless solutions including pipe bursting and slip lining, which minimised excavation and reduced materials brought to site. We were able to use trenchless technology for 94% of the 7km of water pipe that we renewed.

The team worked seven days a week to complete the works before the Tour of Britain cycle race, which passed through the town on 10 September.

Kevin Watkins, contracts manager, South Staffs Water said: “The partnership approach has set the standard for joint occupation schemes for the industry.

“The South Staffs Water and May Gurney team put the emphasis on keeping customers informed by attending parish meetings and using its mobile media vehicle to give direct access to the delivery team. This gave residents the opportunity to seek clarification and discuss their needs prior to work starting.

“Working together in this partnership approach has been key to keeping disruption to customers to a minimum. A tremendous effort from all involved.”

Brian Edwards, Kinver county councillor, added: “Due to the hard work and dedication of all the teams involved this partnership approach has proved a phenomenal success.

“By coordinating work so closely, disruption to residents, motorists and traders was kept to an absolute minimum. This was always the paramount consideration throughout this project.”