G T Jones’s debut run with the brand new Tesmec 400MTC Trencher at Capestone, Haverfordwest laying 11kV cable under roadways over 1200m.
The Capestone project near Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire involved the installation of over 1200m of 11kV electrical cable along a network of public roadway. The works were undertaken within a live highway environment and required careful planning, coordination and traffic management to ensure the safety of the workforce, road users and local residence while maintaining access wherever practicable.
A key element of the project was the use of the Tesmec 400MTC Trencher fitted with specialist rock wheel attachment, which enabled the team to efficiently cut through a variety of challenging ground conditions, including the existing tarmac and rock along the route. The use of this specialist trencher provided significant benefits compared with conventional excavation methods, including increased productivity, consistent trench dimensions, reduced excavation time and reduction in the amount of spoil generated.
A significant part of the project was the reinstatement of the road following the cable installation. Reinstatement works were carefully coordinated with the trenching and cable installation activities to minimise the time that sections of the road remained under traffic management or closure. Trench was backfilled using suitable approved materials and compacted in controlled layers to provide a stable foundation then finished with tarmac surface to bring it back to its original state.
Overall, the Capestone project demonstrated the benefits of using specialist trenching technology. The ability to cut efficiently through difficult surfaces, combined with carefully managed road closures and traffic management, helped the project team maintain productivity while safely delivering the works within a challenging live-road environment.
Project Outcomes
