Project Background

During March and April 2018 Mantra Services were commissioned to undertake a full utility survey of the area around Paddington Station and St Mary’s Hospital in Central London.

The project was 14,320m2 which mainly consisted of main roads and high footfall pathways. The scope of work was to complete a Type B utility survey to a M3P quality level which is detailed with industry standard PAS 128:2014. This survey included the use of vehicle mounted GPR systems, obtaining highways permits and dealing with pedestrian and traffic management.

Project Challenges and Our Response

This area was a particular challenge as our survey coincided with the birth of Prince Louis at the hospital! Crowds of people and heavy security are not conducive to a successful survey. Clear communication with the hospital facilities management personnel was key to ensure nothing we did disrupted the event.

Paddington has an extremely complicated network of buried utility infrastructure, which is common for the significant number of London Carriageway and Footway based projects we have completed. We have completed similar size and complex surveys across Central London in areas such as Piccadilly, Fenchurch Street and Buckingham Gate among others.

A significant challenge for this particular survey was that the project incorporated areas of both Paddington Station and St Marys Hospital where the utility infrastructure for these institutions often in the same locations. The existing network information has been built up over many years with historical assets mixed with modern communications networks from many providers. Locating isolating and differentiating between these assets is a complex operation utilising the geophysical tools at our disposal, existing records and on-site investigation by experienced and skilled staff.

The area is mainly large structures, shops, restaurants and office complexes in addition to the train station and St Mary’s Hospital. Key hazards were Hospital footfall and traffic, unrestricted emergency services access and Network Rail building and improvement schemes.

This type of environment requires constant dialogue with affected stakeholders in the area such as Network Rail station managers, local businesses and of course the St Marys Hospital facilities department. We maintained an up to date programme, which was shared with the stakeholders and provided as much forward notice as possible in relation to working in individual areas. Our Lead Surveyor developed relationships and attended meetings, where required, with these key stakeholders to ensure a smooth execution of the project.

To learn more about the project’s we have undertaken or to discuss your specific requirement please call 01604 770955.