May Gurney partnership wins NJUG Award
Posted: Tuesday 20th January 2009
May Gurney were part of a larger group of contractors including customer South Staffs Water, to be awarded the National Joint Utilities Group Partnership award for a joint occupation scheme at Kinver, Staffordshire.
The NJUG Awards are designed to recognise, promote and reward best practice within the street works industry and encourage utilities to work together and in partnership with local authorities to minimise disruption.
Alan Hatton, May Gurney project manager, explained “We submitted notices and traffic management plans to begin work on the renewal of 7km of water main in Kinver, for our customer South Staffs Water. After a review of our application we were informed by Staffordshire County Council of other planned and maintenance works due to take place in the area.”
May Gurney took the lead in coordinating the joint occupation with the other utilities contractors and headed weekly on site meetings to discuss the ongoing schedule of work and to share information and best practices. This collaborative approach was key to ensuring the smooth running of the scheme.
Work undertaken on the scheme included: trunk main and supply electric installation (Central Networks & Balfour Beatty); renewal of medium pressure gas main (National Grid); installation of BT cable and boxes (Enterprise); street lighting column erection (ABB Ltd.); upgrading and re-positioning of bus stops and traffic calming (Staffordshire Highways).
Kevin Watkins, contracts manager, South Staffs Water said: “The partnership approach from all parties concerned has set the standard for joint occupation schemes in the industry.”
He added “Working together in this partnership has been key to minimising disruption to customers. A tremendous effort from all involved.”
