Optimise Networks Winter 2013

Issue No.14 Winter 2013

Speen PipelineFinal parts of project drop into place

Networks

This edition of Networks clearly highlights the ever-changing environment in which we work.

With three and a half years of the AMP under our belt we could be expected to have settled into comfortable ways, and be churning out our project delivery tasks using near-identical methods each time.

But nothing could be further from the truth. The articles about Maida Vale and Notting Hill, for instance, show the innovative new levels to which we are taking customer consultation, communication and involvement.

The use of new materials is evident, too, in projects like the inner bank refurbishment at High Maynard reservoir in Lee Valley. And a fresh approach to getting the very best from our supply partners is demonstrated in the outcomes from our first Supply Chain Conference, which took place recently.

But to see just how much AMP5 truly represents change, we need look no further than our workload expectations during Years 4 and 5. The traditional AMP project cycle is well-established: work starts slowly, is very busy for a couple of years and then tails off sharply during the final year – everyone knows that. But not this time. This AMP is different.

We are already on course to deliver a volume of work that will make Year 4 the busiest year so far. And we have also been asked to look at significant levels of additional AMP5 work which, if it comes through, means we’ll be delivering £110m in Year 5 – and sizeable volumes on into Year 6.

2 Networks Newsletter

Contract director Ian Noble has been touring Optimise offices to deliver an ‘Optimise Update’ on the remainder of AMP5 and a look ahead to AMP6.

His message on the programme was that this AMP has not followed the traditional pattern of work dropping off by Year 4. Instead, by the beginning of November Optimise had achieved 269 Gateway 3s - when the project is approved for construction - against an end of Year 4 target of 278.

The 272 Starts on Site were also higher than the end Year 4 target of 263, and Takeovers stood at 218 against the year-end target of 281.

Ian said: “We are on target to hit our end–of-year VOWD target of £104m, which will make Year 4 the busiest year so far. Currently we’re forecasting £85m in Year 5 with an emphasis on flood alleviation.”

But that was not all. “We’ve also been asked to look at £60m additional AMP5 work and, if that comes through, we’ll be delivering £110m in Year 5 and £40m in Year 6,” he added.

On OPEX, the team continued to deliver around 50,000 jobs a year. The senior management is working with Thames Water on an end-to-end process to resolve some issues. “The increased focus on customer experience, including Ambassador training and customer follow-ups, is increasing the client’s confidence in our delivery,” Ian said.

The Repair and Maintenance team was currently within a leakage event and Optimise has ramped up and

has dramatically reduced the work outstanding.

He said that for AMP6, Thames Water’s strategy was to take an alliancing route and it has chosen eight organisations to work with: Costain Veolia Water Atkins (CVA) and Skanska MWH Balfour Beatty (SMB) for design and build, programme manager, MWH and technology and innovation provider, IBM. Graham Keegan from Costain has been appointed as COO, and the organisation was busy working on the Ofwat price review (PR14) and scoping the future business plan.

According to Ian, Optimise and/or the partner companies have a future within AMP6. “We have all worked successfully with Thames Water and, as long as we continue to deliver safely, with a focus on the customer experience and with the flexibility and responsiveness that we have demonstrated so far, we are in a good position for AMP6,” he said.

Roadshow spells out road ahead

Ian Noble contract director

> intro

Customers will choose Thames Water because of our performance

Front Page: The cabin for the new Speen water booster station at Bradfield is craned into place. Full story on page 10.

Optimise Update

Welcome

“We are on target to hit our end-of-year VOWD

target of £104m, which will make Year 4 the busiest year so far. Currently

we’re forecasting £85m in Year 5 with an emphasis

on flood alleviation.”Ian Noble, contract director

3Networks Newsletter

With the onset of winter working, and as part of its drive to ensure employees’ health receives adequate focus, Optimise has published some top tips for winter well-being.

A new poster advises readers to use moisturising cream and keep drinking water, tea, coffee or juice - but not alcohol – to help stop skin getting dry, and to wear cotton glove liners and a purpose-made helmet liner to keep warm in the cold and wind.

The poster also urges employees to use lip balm, with the message that it’s not just for girls!

The latest stage of the ongoing safety campaign to reduce Slips Trips and Falls has led to 45 targeted site inspections being carried out.

As part of the process, sites were asked to complete checklists that allow people to refresh themselves on what needs to be done to effectively manage the hazards associated with slips, trips and falls.

H&S manager Clare Hamment said: “The campaign highlighted some really good practice, as well as identifying some key areas to focus on.

“These included making sure that arrangements are in place for dealing with bad weather such as spreading grit and clearing fallen leaves, and

ensuring that changes in level are avoided if possible, or clearly marked.”

The campaign also highlighted the importance of communicating to the workforce the hazards and risks that could lead to slips, trip and falls.

Clare added: “We also identified the need for, and importance of,

remaining vigilant and aware of your surroundings. We all work in areas where slip, trip and fall hazards are prevalent so it is really important that everyone remains aware, and takes action to remove hazards wherever possible.”

Poster outlines cold weather health protection

Winter Wellbeing> health and safety updates


Checklist helps sites improve safety

Slips Trips and Falls

A number of sites were highlighted where best practice is in operation to reduce or eliminate slips, trips and falls. This site photo shows excellent segregation, highlighted steps and effective cable management.

“...it is really important that everyone remains

aware, and takes action to remove hazards wherever possible.”

Clare Hamment, H&S manager

Each of the three Optimise construction partner companies has recently increased their focus on health and wellbeing, completing a self-assessment of their management of health issues.

H&S manager Clare Hamment said: “Following the Autumn 2012 Thames Water health and safety conference, a focus was placed on managing health and well-being, with a determination to ensure that health was managed like safety.

“A subgroup from the Health and Safety Leadership Team was established which developed a maturity matrix, enabling Thames Water and its partner organisations to measure their ‘maturity’ in reaching high standards of health and wellbeing for their staff.

“The self-assessment matrix enables organisations to assess their current health management arrangements and provides them with advice on how to improve.”

Each of the three Optimise partners successfully reached either a Silver or Gold rating in the assessment which is the minimum level that Thames Water expects from a Tier 1 partner.

Optimise partners pass health maturity check

Health Matrix> health and safety updates


Tom’s fast work saves the day

Near Miss Winners

The winner of the Best Near Miss prize for July to September goes to supervisor Tom O’Connor, who wins £50 of vouchers of his own choice. Tom has decided that he will donate these winnings back to the Lighthouse Charity.

Tom supervises teams renewing mains on the VMR project in North London. In August, Tom and his team were laying a new 180mm main adjacent to Euston Station in London. The team noticed that their excavation was slowly filling with water, indicating an adjacent leak. Upon further excavation they found an old 6” cast iron main was leaking and water was dangerously close to entering the train station.

This could have affected the safety of the station staff and users and may have caused the station to be closed. After discussions with Thames Water, London Underground staff and neighbouring offices, the main was eventually shut down and the team

repaired the main without any further disturbance or risk to safety.

Tom and his team are to be congratulated on their quick thinking and awareness of potential harm to others.

Winner of the Random Near Miss Winner for the same period is Glyn Hubbard, who submitted a Near Miss Card while he was working in Moreton-in-Marsh on the Thames Valley Repair and Maintenance contract.


Supervisor Tom

O’Connor (above left)

is presented with his

Best Near Miss Winner

Award by contracts

manager John

Chambers

(above right).

Random Near Miss winner Glyn Hubbard (right)

with area manager Martin Stack.

“A focus was placed on managing health and well-

being, with a determination to ensure that health was

managed like safety.”Clare Hamment,

H&S manager


> health and safety updates


Team’s alert prevents possible accident

False Widow Spiders

Lee Riddle and James Fields

OPEX team members James Fields and Lee Riddle have been commended by Thames Water for their action in preventing a potential false widow spider bite accident.

James and Lee were working alongside Thames Water NST Francis York and a PJ Keary contractor during a mains repair and chlorination in Welling, South East London.

As they were preparing to chlorinate the water main, Francis lifted a hydrant cover and happened to mention that spiders were present in the pit.

Francis said: “At this point both James and Lee told us to stop what we were doing. James then produced a safety alert bulletin from his van warning of

venomous spiders, and upon closer inspection it appears the spiders were the False Widow species.”

False widow spiders hit the headlines earlier this year following a spate of reported incidents including the closure of a school because of their presence. Sightings of Steatoda nobilis are on the rise and experts say they are on the increase.

The false widow is being cited as Britain’s most venomous spider. The symptoms of a bite range from feelings of numbness, severe swelling and discomfort, to various levels of burning or chest pains. The severity of the symptoms depends on the amount of venom that was injected.

Once aware of the potential danger thanks to the warning from James and Lee, Francis was able to proceed with the necessary caution.

“I think both James and Lee should be praised for their immediate action preventing an accident at work,” he said.

“James then produced a safety alert bulletin

from his van warning of venomous spiders, and

upon closer inspection it appears the spiders were

the False Widow species.”Francis York, Thames Water NST


> Spotlight


Customer communications are being taken to a new level to ensure good support for all those affected by the £17.5 million Optimise scheme now under way in Maida Vale.

Enormous underground tanks are being installed in sites at Westbourne Green and Tamplin Mews Gardens to reduce the risk of sewage flooding in a wide area of West London.

With road closures and bus diversions in place for many months, as well as construction works in the parks

Optimise and Thames Water have been working to ensure

residents and local

stakeholders are supported and kept well informed.

As well as setting up quarterly newsletters, a special webpage and a text update service, Optimise will also have an information board and weekly ‘open door’ sessions when the work in the parks starts in the New Year.

Meanwhile, Optimise and Thames Water construction and communications personnel have been working hard with residents to understand the impact of the work, including employing a local consultant to carry out a survey, and interviews to establish existing park use and identify alternative ways that the benefits of the parks could be provided.

Although both children’s play areas will stay open throughout the works, the project will take up a lot of space in both parks and Optimise has produced a pull-out map of alternative green spaces in the area.

Communications manager Erica Fairhurst said: “We’ve also been talking to Westminster Academy, Academy Sport, Sport Westminster and Parkour Generations about providing additional sports facilities and activities while we’re in the area.

“We have agreed to fund Winter Holiday Parkour Camps - three weekends of indoor parkour workshops for young

people and families at the Moberley Sports and Education Centre.”

In addition, help is being given to the Kyu Yo Bu Shin charity – an activities group run by a local resident – which regularly uses the space for activities such as cycling, running and mixed exercise classes for local residents of all ages.

Iain Tytler, delivery manager for the project, said: “We are supporting the charity’s work by transporting the cycle team to Crystal Palace for the Youth Games and providing some equipment for the football teams.”

He added: “We made sure we spoke to the group in plenty of time to make alternative arrangements before the work in the parks starts.”

These are the first of many community support initiatives planned throughout the programme and, in addition, Optimise is setting up two Forums. These will comprise local people who are willing to act as a bridge between the project team and the local communities around Westbourne Park and Tamplin Mews Gardens – further details in the next edition of Networks.

Communications are key on major project

Maida Vale


The emergency project following the discovery of a burst main and a number of voids under Notting Hill Gate has attracted commendations from local residents, businesses, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and from Thames Water’s senior management.

Now the programme has won the Communications award from the National Joint Utilities Group. NJUG is the UK trade association representing utilities and their contractors on street works issues.

The project started at the beginning of May and was completed at the end of July last year.

The complex project was completed ahead of schedule with no accidents or incidents on a site that was at times working 24/7, and mainly working 16–18 hour days, seven days a week.

Optimise communications manager Erica Fairhurst said: “The fast-moving nature of the work meant communications had to be tailored, as the usual methods alone wouldn’t be sufficient.

“The emergency nature of the burst main, and its effect on the ground under the road, ensured that the team had to take a new approach to communications, including more social media and using a site team as committed to completing the job as keeping the public informed and supportive.”

As well as two drop-ins arranged during the day to target commuters in the area and local businesses, the site held an ‘open-door’ morning once a week at the site office. The door was at the site boundary and therefore accessible to visitors without PPE.

In addition, two site team members were nominated to be available for questions and to give updates to customers.

Press releases were issued throughout the programme and a letter was sent to over 1,200 residents and businesses. Updates were posted on the fencing around the site to explain the issue and give updates.

Digital and social media techniques were also employed to deal with the developing situation. A dedicated web page was created to give regular

updates on project progress, a YouTube video made by the Thames Water Press Office and starring the project site agent, Jacques Denys. More than 600 people signed up for a text message service which provided regular updates.

One of the measures of success of this emergency communications approach was the lack of contacts and complaints. During the three-month road closure five written commendations, one enquiry and just one complaint were received. Also there were just nine phone contacts received.

Erica said: “The site, project and communications teams in Thames Water and Optimise worked closely together to ensure all stakeholders were informed of the issues, were aware of progress and had confidence that the solution would be found and implemented as soon as possible.

“The Notting Hill Gate project shows how effective communications that inform and engage people in an open dialogue using traditional and digital media can result in positive reaction and public support for major, disruptive emergency works.”

Project wins award

Notting Hill NJUG Award> Spotlight


Optimise projects achieve recognition

Sites SuccessA number of Optimise sites have been recognised recently for the quality of their work.

The Kennington Road Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme has won a Highly Commended People Award in the SBWWI Awards. (The Society of British Water and Wastewater Industries). The category looks for people who have ‘gone the extra mile’ for the benefit of the industry, their own organisation, or other stakeholders.

The Oxford Area Flood Partnership and contractors Optimise have been recognised for demonstrating best

practice in collaboration between six organisations, which was crucial to the successful delivery of the scheme.

Meanwhile, two Optimise sites have received very high ratings in the latest Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) assessments. Registered construction sites and companies are monitored against a Code of Considerate Practice, designed to encourage best practice beyond statutory requirements.

The Queen Mother and Wraysbury tunnel relining team was awarded an incredible 45 out of 50 rating in a recent CCS assessment – a score rarely surpassed.

And the Speen pipeline project attracted a CCS score of 39 out of 50 – and a letter of commendation from Mark Taylor, Thames Water head of capital delivery.

Members of the Optimise Kennington Road scheme receive their SBWWI award

More than 120 people attended the first Optimise supply chain conference, which took place in October.

It was designed to increase understanding among supply chain members of Optimise’s requirements during the remainder of the AMP cycle.

A mix of Optimise managers and senior management from the Optimise delivery partners, Thames Water, and the AMP6 alliance, were joined by representatives from a large majority of Optimise’s supply chain partners.

“It was a really good turnout,” said Manish Tailor, supply chain manager.

“The conference was designed to help our supply chain to understand our pressures, requirements and expectations,” he said. “We brought them up to date with our current situation, letting them know the high value of work going forward and their potential role in delivering that.

“The suppliers present were very interested to hear that AMP 5 for Optimise was not going to follow the typical pattern of a rapid downturn in work levels during Years 4 and 5, and that these years will in fact be our busiest yet.”

A key part of the conference was the emphasis on innovation, with an address by innovation manager Simon Dickson. Delegates also heard presentations from three supply chain partners – Nick Reilly of UKDN Waterflow, who spoke about the SDAC programme, Rob McCoy and Iain Simpson of United Ashphalt, who described their innovative Greenpatch product, and Simon Sivyer of H Sivyer Transport, who talked about the use of recycled aggregates.

A separate session drove home the continuing focus by Optimise and Thames Water on health & safety and the need for supply chain partners to fully engage with the programme’s objectives and activities.

In addition, Bob Heathfield, Chairman of the Optimise Board presented awards to 16 vendors who have provided ‘Excellent’ service.

Manish Tailor said: “For me, one of the most important aspects of the event was the opportunity it gave for networking. A theatre for the arts in Maidenhead was chosen as the venue in order to encourage people to come together, mix and develop better relationships, and that definitely paid off.

“Suppliers had the opportunity to meet relevant senior Optimise people and speak directly together.

“Overall, I would say the conference was a resounding success. Suppliers went away enthused, and with a better understanding of our requirements over the next 18 months.”

Get together boosts understanding

Supply Chain Conference> Spotlight

8 Networks Newsletter Customers will choose Thames Water because of our performance

Supply chain manager Manish Taylor talks to a delegate from NHTB.

“For me, one of the most important aspects of the event was the opportunity it gave for networking.”Manish Tailor, supply chain manager

Supply Chain Conference


> Spotlight


Awards were presented by Bob heathfield, Chairman of the Optimise Board, to 16 vendors (picture below).

Left and bottom photo: a question and answer session explored key topics of interest to supply chain partners.

“The suppliers present were very interested to hear that AMP 5 for

Optimise was not going to follow the typical pattern of a rapid downturn in work levels during Years 4 and 5,

and that these years will in fact be our busiest yet.”

Manish Tailor, supply chain manager

With pipelaying work now completed on the new 19.2km pipeline, attention has turned to the construction of a new water booster station next to Bradfield water treatment works.

The £10m pipeline project, from Tilehurst, Reading, to the Cold Ash service reservoir near Newbury, is being carried out to reduce abstraction from the River Kennet at Speen WTW. It has involved two crossings of the River Pang, one crossing of the River Bourne and a crossing under the M4 motorway.

Optimise site engineer Thady Gavin said: “The water flows by gravity from Tilehurst to Bradfield and is then pumped by two new variable speed drive (VSD) duty/standby multistage pumps, with pump output of 58 l/s at a pressure of 10 bar.

“The pumps sit within a £10,000 9m x 3m GRP cabin which had to be craned into place because of trees and other obstacles. It’s like a giant garden shed!”

An MCC control panel is being fitted within the main Thames Water building and this will control flows along the whole pipeline. The new booster station will be commissioned in January.

Thady said: “The pipelaying part of the programme went well and while the project has not been technically complex, its main challenge has been the sheer scale. The scheme was one year in design and planning before construction started and that year of hard work paid off.

“For the M4 crossing there was a great deal of planning and preparation beforehand. Similarly we had to liaise very closely in order to cross a strategic oil pipeline, which required special provisions and supervision by government representative staff.”

Final stages of £10m project

Speen Pipeline Kiosk


> Projects


“The pipelaying part of the programme went well

and while the project has not been technically

complex, its main challenge has been the

sheer scale.”Thady Gavin, site engineer

“The scheme was one year in design and planning before construction started and that year of hard work paid off.”Thady Gavin, site engineer


> Projects


A new approach to maintaining Thames Water’s raw water reservoirs in the Lee Valley is saving time and money.

Optimise has overlaid existing wave protection slabs on the inner banks of High Maynard reservoir – built in 1870 – with an open stone asphalt material as part of a significant refurbishment programme.

This material has never been tried by Thames Water before but it is used extensively in the rest of the UK and continental Europe.

It has proved to be very cost effective and significantly reduced installation time on site from an estimated eight weeks to just two.

Reducing water levels in raw water reservoirs during work can have a significant impact on longer term storage volumes and supply to adjacent works, and so minimising the time levels are down reduces risk to water supply.

Optimise site manager Asiri Bamunu-Arachchi said: “This material is truly hard wearing and has been described as indestructible.

“It is ideal for use as an alternative to the concrete slabbing and blockwork wave protection that has traditionally been used.

“Using this product rather than traditional concrete slabbing

replacement has significantly reduced the health and safety construction risk as well as the environmental impact on site activity.”

New material cuts construction downtime

Reservoir refurbishment

Work is under way to investigate and rectify defects on nine bridges on the Northern Outfall Sewer (NOS).

The scope varies from bridge to bridge, with the most significant being at Channelsea Bridge, where Optimise will be removing the entire deck - including a 21” water main and a significant fibre optic cable that will require diversion. Considerable repairs to the masonry, steel and cast iron bridge structure will be carried out, even replacing two of the bearings where the bridge sits on its abutments.

The Northern Outfall Sewer generally comprises five parallel barrels, each around 2.7m diameter, and runs from the Thames Water Wick Lane depot to Beckton STW under The Greenway, the permissive footway used by pedestrians and cyclists.

It was designed by Sir Joseph Bazalgette, one of the great engineers of the Victorian era, after an outbreak of cholera in 1853 and “The Big Stink” of 1858.

The nine bridges in this project support the sewer where it crosses over roads, railways and rivers between River Lea, south of the Olympic Park, and Corporation Street, West Ham. The number of barrels increases to five immediately west of the Channelsea River bridge and six locally over the Waterworks River bridge.

This project is the follow up to a separate project undertaken by Optimise to carry out urgent repairs to the bridges and undertake

investigations and monitoring work ahead of the Olympics.

Delivery manager Ian Thomson said: “This project has been instructed under baseload light with a budget for the project of £9.41m. Construction work will begin in earnest in February and the programme is expected to take the remainder of the AMP period.”

Planning work began in September with Optimise currently carrying our additional tests and inspections, and liaising closely with the nine key stakeholders involved in the project. These include three rail providers, the Environment Agency, Canal and Rivers Trust, Crossrail, London Boroughs and Olympic legacy organisations.

Signage and hoarding designs are also being developed, and plans to include historical information and Victorian pictures of the original structures are under consideration.

Programme to repair nine bridges on historic sewer

NOS Bridges

Optimise has covered existing wave protection slabs on the inner banks of High Maynard reservoir with a new open stone asphalt material.

Sir Joseph Bazalgette

Team drills under busy road

New Main at Sheeplands

Optimise had to drill beneath a stream and the busy A320M dual carriageway at Winnersh in order to lay a new main to replace a 20 inch main abandoned some years ago.

The new main passes close to Thames Water’s Sheeplands Sewerage Pumping Station.

Construction manager Roger Thatcher said: “The first 96m of the new 355mm pipeline has been inserted within the abandoned main and then, after a short stretch of open cut working, 120m of directional drilling was used to carry the pipe 10m deep under the Emm Brook and the road.”

Drilling started in November and work was completed by Christmas.

Optimise has been given the task of finding a solution to sewage leaking into the Coppetts Wood nature reserve in North London.

The project began when Thames Water contractors were called out to a pollution event where a blocked backdrop chamber on a 900mm sewer was causing sewage flooding on the North Circular Road and into Coppetts Wood, a local nature reserve with full public access.

The sewage leak was stopped using a rider main to bypass the shaft and some 5 tonnes of rag were removed from the shaft. However due to health and safety concerns, entry for further inspection of the shaft was not possible, and Optimise was appointed to maintain and improve the temporary solution and come up with a permanent solution.

The Optimise Third Party Team was engaged to advise on the numerous and difficult stakeholder and environmental challenges posed by working in the nature reserve, which is an ancient woodland and host to numerous protected species including slow worm - a protected reptile species.

Japanese Knotweed was also found at the site. It is an invasive species and it is illegal to cause it to spread.

Optimise environmental advisors Chris Rochfort and Shane Longworth, supported by specialist contractors, assisted the team by cordoning off and containing the Japanese Knotweed infested areas.

Chris Rochfort said: “With Optimise taking over the site as the first frosts took hold in early November, there was also a serious risk of killing hibernating protected species during the earthworks exercise required to make space around the shaft.”

Chris and Shane arranged searches under observation by an ecologist which resulted in seven slow worms and 22 smooth newts being found and successfully relocated.

Optimise also changed the location of the construction team’s welfare cabins from the site proposed by

the Council to one that is closer to the works area, further from residential properties, and better for the wildlife.

The next stage of the project involves investigations to determine the source of the problem, and whether any civil engineering project is required to produce a permanent solution.

The design team investigating the permanent solution is being led by Neil Marples and Hannah Andrew, while the project team is led by delivery manager Vincent Keogh, supported by Shane Gorman, Dave Lally and Arthur Gugan.

Optimise treads carefully on nature reserve site

Coppetts Wood> Projects


Above: One of the smooth newts relocated to a safe area for hibernation

Site engineer George Thuyanesan.


Project breaks million metre milestone

SDAC

Optimise has completed the investigation phase of its Sewer Drainiage Area Catchment (SDAC) programme in North London with an important achievement.

During the year-long programme Optimise carried out the cleaning, surveying and mapping of over 700km of sewers in North London streets, and just over the border into Thames Valley. Taken together with Thames Water partner MGJV in South London, the two programmes delivered the inspection of over 1000km of sewer in the past 12 months.

“That is more than a million metres of sewer pipes in a year,” said contract manager David Eales, whose team worked out of the Red House offices at Lea Bridge. “I’m incredibly proud of what the team has achieved.”

Optimise worked in North London with specialist subcontractor UKDM Waterflow, while MGJV partnered with MTS on an identical operation in South London.

Optimise and UKDM Waterflow operated 20 CCTV units and six jetting vehicles on the programme, carrying out a pre-survey where a CCTV camera is run through the sewer from a manhole access. Next, the pipe is cleaned using high-pressure jetting from a specialist £250,000 HGV vehicle, and then post-surveyed with CCTV.

Many of the pipes are over 100 years old and the sewers range in diameter from 80 mm up to 1275 mm.

Optimise produces a study report of its findings and recommendations, including cost-beneficial rehabilitation of blocked or damaged sewers.

David said: “We have worked together superbly. This was new to us and, while Thames Water had done small areas before, working in 14 different London boroughs across North London had not been tackled before for this type of works programme.

“We developed a very slick operation and came in with a 30 percent saving on the unit rate.”

David’s team had worked in central London on the VMR programme for the previous 10 years, and he said: “Our VMR experience was very valuable. We already knew London and how to deliver big kilometre schemes.”

One significant rehabilitation project identified by the SDAC programme came after discovering underground

flooding from a blocked sewer, 6.6m below ground in Middle Lane, Harringey.

Optimise carried out an eight-week project to repair the damaged sewer, with immediate road closures and 24 hour tankering in place to remove the waste. UKDM Waterflow then completed a structural reline to resolve the problem.

Looking forward, Dave Eales said: “We are now in the early days of SDAC Phase II which will be more about fixing pipes that have been deemed as requiring rehabilitation following the Phase 1 survey, but will also require us to have an extreme focus on customer-related activities, as a large amount of work is within private property.”

> Projects

13Networks NewsletterCustomers will choose Thames Water because of our performance

CCTV surveys identify the sewer condition before and after the work

A programme to install 15 pressure reducing valves (PRVs) in the Blunsdon area of Swindon has now been completed.

The two-month project required Optimise teams to install the valves on mains ranging from 6” to 12” in

diameter, to enable Thames Water to remotely manage flow pressures in various DMAs.

Supervisor Jim Hale said: “Four of the 15 have been replacements for existing PRVs but on the others we have had to locate the main, dig down, cut the

main and install the valve and then construct a chamber for subsequent access.

“It has been quite straightforward and has gone well.”

Two month project completed

Swindon PRV Programme

“We have worked together superbly. This was new to us and, while Thames Water had

done small areas before, working in 14 different

London boroughs across North London had not

been tackled before for this type of works

programme.”David Eale, contract manager

> Projects


The £7 million Optimise foul water flood alleviation programme in the Cheney Manor and Barnfield Road area of Swindon is well under way.

As well as alleviating foul water flooding, it will provide capacity for future growth from new developments in the town.

Work is under way at both ends of the scheme. John Clark, site manager, said: “At the upstream Cheney Manor end, a number of the sewerage pipes are being upgraded and re-routed to 600mm and 225mm diameter and we will be adding a new pumping station as well as a new 300m rising main to transfer the flows to one of the inlet culverts that flow to Swindon STW.”

At the Barnfield end, a 120m long 1500 x 2100mm concrete box culvert will be laid, also 52m of triple 900mm ductile iron spill pipes will be installed, and a weir created by breaking into the existing 3.5m x 1.2m inlet culvert. This will take excess flows from the existing inlet culvert into a 28m x 4m x 3m CSO

chamber and then transfer these flows via the box culvert under the car park of a large B&Q store towards Swindon STW.

John Clark said: “Because of existing services which are in the way, the box culvert will then feed into three parallel 900mm ductile iron pipes for the final 52m at the downstream end of the project. These have now been laid under the access road to the B&Q store, and will be connected into the 10,000m3 storm tank which lies within Swindon water treatment works.

“We will use a specialist subcontractor to drill three 1m diameter holes through the 1.5 m thick concrete storm tank wall then insert our pipes and grout them into position. We will have to pick a dry day for this work because the storm tank can fill from just a few hours of rainfall.”

John said: “We gave the B&Q management team an induction and brought them onto our site in full PPE to see the pipes going into the ground. Seeing the work at first hand was a real

eye-opener for them and they have been quite understanding since then.”

John’s team agreed to suspend work within the B&Q car park during the very busy six weeks up to Christmas.

Meanwhile, at the Cheney Manor end of the project 70m of drilling will take the sewer pipe under the busy Bailey’s Corner roundabout using trenchless techniques, and along Cheney Manor Road to the junction of Ferndale Road.

John said: “We have set up a noticeboard next to this main roundabout to keep local people informed of our progress.“

Scheme to reduce flooding and boost capacity

Swindon Flood AlleviationJohn Clark at the new notice board

“We will have to pick a dry day for this work because the storm tank can fill from just a few hours of rainfall.”John Clark, site manager

The team working next to the B&Q car park.


> Innovation


Swindon Flood Alleviation

Programme in Thames Water compounds under way

Flow Meter Verification Chambers

As part of the Thames Water leakage scheme, Optimise is constructing verification chambers close to 67 flow meters in locations across the Thames Valley.

All but seven of the 67 are within Thames Water compounds, and are concentrated around the Slough, High Wycombe and Reading area, but also stretch as far afield as Shipston-on-Stour in the Cotswolds, Cirencester and Guildford.

Construction started in October and the project is due for completion by the end of next May.

Site engineer Michael Cooke said: “The flow meters monitor the output from network supplies and boreholes and Thames Water needs to verify those flow figures to monitor leakage. Part of the scope of works includes constructing a verification chamber to access the trunk main which may

be up to 3.5 meters deep with the main varying in size from 150mm to 1000mm in diameter. We carry out under-pressure tapping and insert a probe into the main to measure the flow and compare it to the metered reading.

“A second electronic technique called Panametrics is also utilised.”

Three three-men teams have been deployed on the project to date which will increase to six teams in accordance with the project programme.

The chambers vary in size from 900x900mm to 2400x1850mm and, once the verification has been carried out, reinstatement and demobilisation to site commences.

“Our main issue is that all the compounds are littered with services, so it is difficult to establish where we can put our chamber,” said Michael.

“Where a service has been laid above the main that we need to access, it can be difficult to work around it, and where this is a problem we have to choose between either moving the service out of the path, moving the chamber location to avoid the service or running the service across the edge of the chamber.”

Team overcomes congested site to complete repair

Craven Road Emergency

A difficult and high-profile blocked sewer repair at Craven Road, close to Paddington Station in west London, has been completed in time for Christmas.

The Optimise team had to contend with an extremely congested working

site in the road, between the wall of a London Underground tunnel and the brick walls of basement extensions. In addition, BT, cable, electricity services, two clean water mains and a 24” low pressure gas main obstructed their route.

Eventually the team was able to dig down and break into a 1200mm brick culvert which

links a 300mm clay sewer to the 3m x 2m Ranelagh Trunk main sewer via a swan neck.

Site agent Manoj Halai said: “The sewer was badly blocked with fat and once this had been cleaned, jetted and surveyed, we laid a new 300mm pipe

from the clay sewer, through the brick culvert, to the swan-neck. We also relined a 41m damaged stretch of the clay sewer using innovative UV relining techniques, and cleaned and connected 11 laterals to the shops and restaurants in the street.”

Site engineer Colm Connally added: “The team worked really hard and we have been able to finish and reopen the street – ahead of schedule – in time for the busy Christmas shopping period.”

Denis Balla, Klodian Jumeraj and

Christopher O’Donnell in the sewer.

“The sewer was badly blocked with fat and once

this had been cleaned, jetted and surveyed, we laid a new 300mm pipe”

Site agent Manoj Halai

Pictured, Craig Green and Alan Shire, general operatives.

Test passed ‘without a hitch’

Certification Audit Success

In November, Optimise had two days of external auditing at Kidlington and Rose Kiln Court, as part of the surveillance for the ISO9001, ISO14001 and OHSAS18001 certificates.

The audit passed without a hitch and, for the first time in Optimise’s history, no findings were raised. The report that followed was liberally sprinkled with comments of ‘good’, ‘very good’ and even one mention of ‘exemplary’, a word rarely used in auditing.

Maintaining certification to these standards is a requirement of our contract to Thames Water and so success in these audits is critical to our continuing work.

Quality and systems manager David Babb said: “This result is a testament to all in Optimise for embracing the management systems, but in

particular those who took part in the audit, and prepared in advance. The Board of Optimise has recognised this result and issued a thank you to all those involved.

“Now the challenge has been laid for those that follow.”

The next audit will be three days in May when visits will be made to Maple Lodge, Rose Kiln Court and Terriers House.

> People

Two Minutes On... Insurance In our regular look around Optimise we spoke to Insurance Manager Lorraine Crew at Maple Lodge about her work.

Tell us about your teamThere is only me! I look after all the insurance claims relating to Optimise CAPEX and OPEX activities. That includes handling claims by members of the public for personal injury or damage to their property, and claims by utilities following service strikes.

I also handle all the insurance renewals. However, it’s a complex situation because some insurance policies are arranged through Thames Water, some through the joint partner companies and others through Optimise itself.

What does the work involve?A great deal of telephone and written liaison with members of the public, utility companies and our insurers. Also I work closely with Thames Water, who are very keen to know what’s going on. I am typically working on around 50+ separate claims each month.

Is it demanding?It is complicated and there are great time pressures in keeping up with the workload.

Do you enjoy it?Yes, I find it very interesting. There is always something new coming up, and I speak with a lot of people across Optimise, so there is plenty of variety.

What would you change if you could?I would love some help! Otherwise I can’t complain.


NETWORKS EDITORIAL & PRODUCTION TEAMEDITORS: Erica Fairhurst, Optimise communications manager, Tel. 01189 251755

Ken Harrison, Tel. 07801 649045

DESIGN & PRODUCTION: Anthony Hughes, MWH, Tel. 01925 845000

Contact Us: If you have any comments or suggestions for the Networks Magazine or would like to contribute, please email [email protected]

Networks is printed on recycled paper

“This result is a testament to all in

Optimise for embracing the management

systems.”David Babb,

quality and systems manager

If you would like your team featured email [email protected]

Documents

Optimise Networks Winter 2013