c a s e s t u d y : n u m b e r  one

River Sow in Stafford



As part of a larger scale fibre optic route that was project managed by Lythgoes, fibre had to be installed between Tollgate Industrial Estate to the centre of Stafford and all within a limited time scale.

The options available were to:

Whilst taking into account all the options, the 3rd option was chosen, which was to install the ducts partly along the public highway and along a public footpath following the line of a disused railway.

The next stage was to determine ownership of the path and whether the views of the third parties needed to be considered. After pursuing the matter with both the Local Authority (L.A.) and the Rail Property Division, a deed of sale was produced to prove that the path was currently in ownership of the L.A. However due to a section of the proposed route crossing a designated SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and because of the existence of badgers, discussions were also held with English Nature. A wayleave was then successfully negotiated and design work commenced.

The route between these two sites involved the installation of a pipe bridge across the River Sow in Stafford.

Along the route there were 10 structures most of which required extraordinary works. The bridge over the River sow in particular proved difficult to utilise within the structure itself. The solution was to install a pipe bridge alongside the existing structure by extending the piers.

This structure is maintained by the L.A. so any works adjacent to these structures needed to meet with their approval. A design was put forward to extend the existing piers and to place a 250mm diameter plastic coated galvanised steel pipe having a 10mm wall thickness on top. The pipe was assembled at site and lifted into place by crane to sit in the pre-positioned saddles.

The entire project was completed without incident, in time and at a saving to our client of approximately £1.24m.