Case Study
Civil Infrastructure
SUPPORTING NATIONAL GRID
Bedforshire
THE BEST ROUTE FROM A TO B CAN BE VIA SEA
When a National Grid transformer in Wiltshire failed, it had to be replaced quickly. Getting a replacement from A to B wasn’t straightforward.
A spare transformer was available at National Grid’s spares’ centre in Bedfordshire, but going straight from A to B meant complex highways’ routing, and crossing more than one weak bridge. This was less than ideal. Our team drew on Osprey’s marine background to come up with a completely different approach.
FINDING A BETTER, FASTER SOLUTION
- We moved the replacement unit from Bedfordshire straight down to Tilbury Docks – making use of a maintained heavy load route we know well.
- Our experienced project managers know the UK road systems, and we have the direct relationships to secure special order permits quickly.
- Loading the replacement transformer onto one of our own barges, we shipped it over to Avonmouth – the nearest seaport to the substation.
- Finally, to reduce the impact on local road infrastructure, we moved the transformer from the port to the substation over a period of two weekends.
OUR OWN EQUIPMENT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Usually, a project like this would take six months or more to plan. However, with our own barges to hand and all the heavy lifting equipment in our own inventory, we were able to suggest an alternative set of logistics and completed the project in just six weeks.
Delivering
- Barge Transport
- Cranes
- Engineering
- Project Management
- Road Transport
- SPMTs
“Having our own equipment makes a difference, but so too does our marine background.”John O'Connor – Commercial Director, Osprey
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