What was the Client Requirement

Apogee were instructed by Actemium to perform a Utility Search on a stretch of road in Thurrock between the Moto services and a nearby substation as part of works to install EV chargers there, and to collate the utility information into a convenient layered .PDF and .DGW File as part of our Fastview service. Electric Vehicles (EVs) are becoming an ever more popular sight on UK roads, and the demand for charging infrastructure is growing exponentially. Moto services are responding to this demand, installing multiple high-speed charging points across their entire motorway services portfolio – assisted by Apogee & Actemium – to create “Electric Super Hubs” and provide reliable, affordable fast-charging to EV motorists.

What was the Apogee Solution?

Apogee provided a Full Utility Search Report for the area, as well as a Fastview – all of the utility data from the search layered together into a .PDF and .DGW Document for easy visualisation of the utility situation and quick integration into existing design work. Despite the site’s complexity in being a large road-route in London with a dense concentration of buried services, Apogee delivered the search in 5 working days and the Fastview in 10 working days, 100% complete. In this particular case the Fastview was ordered some time after the search report, as the large amount of plans and complex area required an easy-to-use data solution.

What was the result of the report?

The site was exceptionally busy, as would be expected in London. There were over 15 utilities identified in the search area, with many of them – particularly gas, water, and electricity assets - being present throughout the entirety of the ~5km site. Electrical cables in particular were everywhere especially around the substation, with multiple voltages and assets packed very close together. There were also IDNO assets and a Network Rail crossing, as well as extensive BT/Openreach cables. This meant there was a lot of utility information to process, with hundreds of individual assets in the area. Sites like this benefit massively from the Fastview product, as they can all be seen together overlaid directly onto the site, saving a lot of time and effort in assembling and interpreting what is hundreds of pages of utility plans to inform a decision.

Why was the client delighted?

Apogee’s usual emphasis on thoroughness and its Apogee intelligence – our highly trained consultants working alongside industry software and our proprietary database – ensured an accurate and complete search and digitisation of the utilities even for such a busy site in a tight timeframe. This particular site had been searched multiple times as the design process progressed, and as a result work was ongoing and the information had to be updated quickly and effectively. The client was delighted to receive a single easy to use file enabling them to assess their options quickly and avoid costly design errors or utility conflicts.

For an EV project such as this the level of electrical coverage can be a double-edged sword; while there is likely to be a Point-of-Connection (POC) option available, the risk for reinforcement works being necessary is significant due to the large electrical load, and the presence of other utilities makes those works likely to be expensive – if you have any uncertainties as to how utilities can impact the value or costs of your development, Apogee can help with questions like this and provide some much-needed clarity.

About the client:

Actemium delivers bespoke solutions and services to clients across 40 countries. Its multi-disciplinary network combines the expertise of 400 local business units with a global approach to create value throughout the entire industrial life cycle.

Actemium’s 24,400 experts share with their clients the strong conviction that industry is key to building a sustainable world and strive to make a positive contribution to global performance.

Who else would buy this?
Our full turnkey consultancy services are ideal for Clients and Project Managers, Developers, Local Authorities Consultants, Architects, Design & Build Contractors, Highways Scheme promoters and Surveyors. Anyone involved with a residential or commercial development who would benefit from understanding the risks and costs which come from utilities would be well placed to talk to us. Even if you are not the source of funds for the development and costs savings are of secondary importance to you, we can help you avoid other inconveniences such as delays, and reduce the risk of any accidents or strikes of existing plant, as well as improve due diligence and help you achieve compliance under the relevant guidelines and regulations, namely PAS128 and HSG47. We have decades of experience in managing such conflicts across our capable team, a member of whom was on the PAS128 steering committee and who was personally involved in the drafting of PAS128 Quality Level D.