South West Milton Keynes Infrastructure
Billy Plant, our Project Contracts Manager, shared insights into the complexities faced at the project start. “With the ever-present challenge of high-pressure gas pipelines and their intricate installations nearby, we knew we had to tread carefully,” he explained. “Before we could even break ground, we had to prepare specialist RAMs—risk assessment method statement—which required the green light from SGN (Southern Gas Network)”. This approval process was essential for us to proceed within the easement, all managed under a keen watching brief.
Plant also reflected on the strength of our team, stating, “The crew we assembled for this project is not only experienced but also consists of the same talented individuals who handled similar challenges in our Winslow project. They effectively managed the installation of gas main protection slabs.” With this team on board, we were confident that the project was in highly capable hands.
One of our most pressing obstacles was an existing high voltage (HV) cable. This seemingly unassuming line turned out to be a linchpin in our plans. Its location directly impacted our proposed route for the new carriageway. To move forward, we had to lower the cable—all under the watchful eye of the National Grid.
To navigate the complex maze of undocumented services, we implemented a proactive strategy. We excavated a series of carefully planned trial holes to uncover the hidden utilities beneath the surface.
We strategically slip-trenched every five meters to gain a comprehensive understanding of the service locations. As Billy stated, “This approach provided us with a clear visualisation, allowing us to work between the existing services safely.”
The extra work increased pressure on site. “We had to bolster our resources, roll up our sleeves, and dive in as we embarked on phase two of the project with installing the S278 roundabout at Buckingham Road,” added Billy.
Fast forward to September: just as we were nearing the finish line, the skies opened up once again, hindering production efforts. This project had all the hallmarks of a nightmare project. Every conceivable obstacle seemed to stand in our way, from torrential downpours, unknown services, and lowering a high-voltage cable, all while working around a gas main.
And, if that wasn’t enough, we were juggling applications with not just one but two councils. Given that the project spanned the highway boundaries from Milton Keynes to Buckinghamshire, our team invested countless hours liaising between the two authorities. It was a whirlwind of communication and coordination, and we had to continually adapt our resources to meet the shifting demands of the project.
Plant stated, “From daily to weekly meetings, we brought everyone together to unify our efforts by clearly defining roles and responsibilities. This collective understanding allowed us to confront challenges directly and effectively.”
“I’m truly proud of how this project has come together. It looks fantastic and meets our high standards perfectly; this is just the beginning of a significant development,” Plant shared with enthusiasm. “We’re excited to move into phase two, where we’ll be working on bringing two of the three S278 entrances to life. The progress we’re making on Whaddon Road fills us with anticipation, and we can’t wait to achieve even greater success as we move forward!”
