Alfred McAlpine has recently utilised Plastic Piling from HL Plastics to temporarily shore up trenches during works to install electricity cables in Skegness, Lincolnshire.

The installation, which will be used to supply electricity from the new 200 turbine off shore wind farm situated close to the Lincolnshire coast, consisted of 100 x 2 metre and 200 x 3 metre Full Pan Piles. These are similar in appearance to steel piles, but offer a number of important benefits.

Alfred McAlpine chose Plastic Piling mainly due to its lightweight properties, making it easy to handle and transport. This particular pile was ideal for the limited space available, as it is easy to install and in shorter lengths can be manually inserted.

It was also a cost effective option, offering extensive durability, and the ability to reuse temporary installations; along with lightweight properties, which make it cheaper to transport. Plastic Piling is also environmentally friendly, and when manufactured in standard grey is produced from 100% recycled materials.

Another important aspect of Plastic Piling in this project, and other utility installations, is that the use of PVCu eliminates the risk of sparking, a vital health and safety benefit, particularly when working in confined spaces.

Eamon Culhane, Alfred McAlpine, was delighted with the use of Plastic Piling on this project: “The use of lightweight PVCu meant that we could install the piles much quicker than would have been possible with heavier materials, allowing us to begin work on the electricity cables much quicker, therefore reducing the overall cost of the works. The elimination of any sparking risks was also a major incentive, as we take the health and safety of our workforce very seriously.”

With extensive knowledge and experience in the manufacture of Plastic Piling, HL Plastics can supply products in a variety of lengths, all of which are manufactured and distributed direct from their UK factory. The extensive range of piling products can be used across a number of different applications, dependent on strength, ease of installation and type of appearance required.