Utility Trial Trenching Surveys
We have been advised by Highways England that they will be starting Utility Trial Trenching Suveys (UTT). This phase of works will begin from this month and will go on until August
Why they are doing it
These surveys will help them plan the utility diversions that would be required to build the Lower Thames Crossing. This will help them to improve their proposals and to develop their application for the Development Consent Order (DCO).
What they will do
They will carry out the works using a vacuum excavator. The vacuum excavator uses compressed air to loosen or agitate the ground, which can then be removed using the vacuum on the machine. At times they will also use hand-digging to ensure safety of the services.
The two survey methods of Utility Trial Trenching surveys they will use are:
Trial holes
They will carry out the majority of the works using trial holes. The vacuum excavator is used on both the road and the walkways. An operative will park the excavator in a safe location to carry out the work. If the work is being done on the road, there will be traffic management installed, including full road closures or lane closures with temporary traffic lights in place. The detail is outlined below. Where access is needed onto the walkway, a diversion will put be in place for pedestrians.
Prior to any trial holes works they will need to carry out pre-works inspections to verify the exact location of the trial holes. This may require some short term traffic management.
Each location will take between one and three shifts to complete.
Non-invasive investigations
In addition to the trial holes, they will identify utility features, survey them and open chambers. Where possible this will be completed under the traffic management for the trial hole works. However in some cases they may need additional traffic management to complete some non-invasive works.
What to expect
According to Highways England their priority is to carry out this programme of work in a way that will have the smallest possible impact on the community. They have been and are continuing to work with all the relevant Local Authorities to reduce any disruption that may be caused and to obtain the necessary approvals.
- While the works may cause some disruption, they will ensure that they put mitigation measures in place to minimise noise.
- Due to the nature of the works, their works vehicles will use flashing lights for the safety of both the road users and their workforce.
- All access to properties will be maintained throughout the duration of the works.
- At times there will be lane closures with two-way traffic lights in place. This is required for the safety of both the road users and their workforce.
- Where it is not possible for them to carry out the necessary works using lane closures, they will install road closures. They will do so at nighttime only with a fully signed diversion route in place. Additional communications will be sent to local residents regarding specific road closures.
- The working hours will be Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 3pm, or carried out at night-time in high traffic areas, between 8pm and 6am, Monday to Friday.
Phase 1: March to August 2020
Trial holes in Kent
|
Kent |
What to expect |
Duration |
|
Valley Drive |
Trial holes. |
2 days – Day-time |
|
A2 (Wrotham Rd to M2 J1) |
Trial holes – lane closures. |
3 weeks – Night-time |
|
Henhurst Rd |
Trial holes – lane closures with temporary traffic lights. |
1 week – Night-time |
|
Lower Higham Rd |
Trial holes – lane closures with temporary traffic lights. |
1 week – Night-time |
|
A226 Gravesend Rd |
Trial holes – lane closures with temporary traffic lights. |
1 week – Night-time |
|
Lower Higham Rd |
Trial holes – full road closure. |
1 week – Night-time |
|
A2 (Wrotham Rd to M2 J1) |
Various Slip Road Closures with traffic diverted to the next junction where road users can exit and return on the opposite carriageway. |
10 days – Night-time |
|
Thong Lane |
Trial holes – road closure with diversion in place via Gravesend Road, A289 and the A2. 3 shifts during nights. |
3 days – Night-time |
Non-Invasive excavations in Kent
|
Kent |
What to expect |
Duration |
|
Gravesend Rd |
Lane closures with temporary traffic signals. |
1 day – Night-time |
| Brewers Rd | Lane closures with temporary traffic signals. | 1 day– Night-time |
Trial holes in Thurrock, Essex, Havering
| Essex / Havering | What to expect | Duration |
| Stanford Rd | Trial holes – lane closures with temporary traffic lights. | 1 week – Night-time |
| Baker Street | Trial holes – lane closures with temporary traffic lights. | 3 days– Day-time |
| Rectory Rd | Trial holes – lane closures with temporary traffic lights. | 3 days – Night-time |
| Buckingham Hill Rd | Trial holes – lane closures with temporary traffic lights. | 3 days – Night-time |
| Heath Road | Trial holes – lane closures with temporary traffic lights. | 3 days– Day-time |
| M25 J30-28 | Trial holes – lane closures | 1 week – Night-time |
| B187 St Marys Ln | Trial holes – lane closures with temporary traffic lights. | 1 week – Night-time |
| Fort Rd/Gun Hill | Trial holes – lane closures with temporary traffic lights. | 3 days – Night-time |
| Ockendon Rd | Trial holes – lane closures with temporary traffic lights. | 7 days – Night-time |
| A13/A1089 Junction | Trial holes – slip road closure with traffic diverted to the next junction to return on the opposite carriageway. | 3 days – Night-time |
| B186 North Rd | Trial holes – full road closure. | 2 weeks – Night-time |
| Brentwood Rd | Trial holes – full road closure. | 3 days – Night-time |
| Hoford Rd | Trial holes – full road closure. | 3 days – Night-time |
| A127 @ J29 | Trial holes – full road closure. | 2 days – Night-time |
| Princess Margaret Rd | Trial holes – full road closure. | 3 days – Night-time |
| Station Rd | Trial holes – full road closure. | 5 days – Night-time |
| Muckingford Rd | Trial holes – full road closure. | 3 days – Night-time |
| Folkes Ln | Trial holes – full road closure. | 3 days – Night-time |
Non-invasive investigations in Thurrock, Essex, Havering
| Essex / Havering | What to expect | Duration |
| Stifford Clays Rd | Lane closures with temporary traffic signals | 1 day– Night-time |
| Hornsby Ln | Road closure. | 1 day – Night-time |
| B186 North Rd | Lane closures with temporary traffic signals. | 1 day – Night-time |
Please visit Highways England’s website for more details on the Utility Trial Trenching surveys, including images of the Utility Trial Trenching survey methods.
These works are in addition to the existing investigative works that we are already aware of. Read more on Ground Investigations here, Archaeological Trial Trenching and Surveys here, and our Ground Investigation site visits here.