EDF Energy Networks has a statutory duty to maintain a safe and reliable electricity distribution network. A key part of that duty involves investment in the network, which in many cases involves essential street works.
- What we do
- Our Streetworks partners
- Work site safety
- Our Environmental obligations
- Representation at national level
EDF Energy Networks undertake street works for four primary reasons:
- Safety
- Security of supply
- To connect new customers / enhance existing customers supplies
- To divert apparatus to facilitate major transport infrastructure or urban regeneration projects.
EDF Energy Networks has 124,000km of underground cables and needs to carry out over 100,000 excavations per year. Our aim is to do this efficiently and with the minimum of disruption. To keep this to a minimum we are obliged to notify the Local Authorities and Highways Agencies prior to commencing works in roads or footways. They are responsible for co-ordinating work requests made to them by all Utilities and their own highway departments to keep disruption to a minimum.
This is one of the requirements under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 and reinforced by the Traffic Management Act 2004.
The prime objective of the Traffic Management Act 2004 is to empower the Highway Authorities to manage the highways in a much more proactive way so as to improve the flow of foot and motorised traffic.
The Traffic Management Act 2004 extends the period of notice before work in the road or footway can be carried out, and places restrictions on dates, times and location of apparatus installation. It is therefore very important that anyone requesting installation/connection of services within the road or footway from utility companies gives adequate notice of requirements. Failure to do so will result in the Highway Authority not granting permission for the time requested.
To find out more about the Traffic Management Act and how it might affect your work with us download our fact sheet.
Because of the increasing legislation and specialisation of excavation and reinstatement in roads and footways EDF Energy has three business partners covering three geographical areas:
- Morrison Utility Services in the East of England
- Skanska-McNicholas plc in London
- Murphy Ltd in the South East
Our business partners carry out the excavation and reinstatement work on our behalf.
Public and staff safety is our highest priority and staff will have received training on the Code of Practice, Safety at Street Works and Road Works. This details the strict requirements to signing, lighting, guarding and maintenance of the work site safely.
The environmental impact of street works is also a major concern to EDF Energy Networks. Apart from the impact within the direct area surrounding the excavation by way of noise levels, damage to trees and surrounding area, there is also the environmental management of excavated waste materials.
EDF Energy Networks carries out over 100,000 excavations a year. From these we remove over 170,000 tons of spoil, the vast majority of which goes to landfill. As a consequence, we import in the region of 170,000 tons of new material. This level of waste is not sustainable and EDF Energy Networks has taken the initiative by leading on a research project to identify how recycled materials can be used in the reinstatement of highways whilst maintaining the integrity of the excavated surface.
EDF Energy takes a leading role in a number of national groups including the National Joint Utilities Group (NJUG) the Highways Authorities and Utilities Committee (HAUC) UK, the Energy Networks Association (ENA) and working parties chaired by the Department for Transport.
By working at a national level we demonstrate EDF Energy Networks commitment to working with Highway Authorities on effective Street Works management.
We have shown our support for the NJUG Vision for Street Works and we are working with stakeholders to make this a reality. For further information on the NJUG Vision please visit the NJUG website at www.njug.org.uk