Case study

Project Name: Various Small Works
Client: Southern Gas Networks
Location: Hampshire and Dorset
Duration: Aug 06 ongoing

Since introducing Forest to Southern Gas Networks (SGN) based in Poole, Dorset in August 2006 we have become their primary supplier of traffic management services for schemes ranging from small local road closures to high profile City Centre schemes to facilitate their gas main replacement work. Key elements to our successful partnership are:

• Working closely with SGN through regular site and management visits Forest have been able to build up a strong working relationship, understanding the client needs and nature of their business. We have been able to offer expert advise to ensure that traffic management is compliant with legislation, advising on aspects such as minimum lane widths, temporary traffic management layouts, use of correct equipment and utilisation of signs.

• Early involvement in schemes has allowed us to provide exact solutions for traffic management to meet the needs of SGN, providing maximum working space and safety, whilst satisfying the requirements of the local authority and minimising the impact on the public

• Because of our strong relationships with Local Authorities, Forest have been able to liaise direct with them to ensure full approval of traffic management layout’s, often at short notice and with many special signs and requirements; this has allowed SGN to focus on their activities in the knowledge that the traffic management is taken care of.

• During recent City Centre schemes in Southampton and Lymington, Forest have been able to provide increased safety to the public by suggesting alternative products and manufacturing numerous special signs. In Southampton this enabled us to clearly separate the public from the SGN works using red and white water filled delineation barrier with anti-climb fencing behind it as an alternative to cones and low level barrier which was prone to abuse by the public. On both of these schemes and many others using our local knowledge of the road network and landmarks we have manufactured and installed special signs clearly indicting traffic routes and pedestrian routes

• Because of our 24/7 call facility SGN have been able to utilise our services for both planned and emergency works. In emergency situations, or where traffic management is required on site at short notice, we have been able to respond within 2 hours. In many cases operatives have been despatched instantly and we have been on site within the hour to install equipment allowing SGN to undertake their work.

• On all schemes we have been able to provide CAD drawings, often at very short notice, both at the beginning and through-out. This has been particularly useful where unknown elements such as unplanned excavations are required and subsequently a new traffic management solution to the one originally intended is required. By producing and submitting these CAD drawings to the local authority, sometimes within hours of the requirement being identified, has allowed SGN work to progress with minimal delay because all parties are clear to the traffic management layout proposals. This is backed up by on site meetings with all parties both prior to and throughout schemes to identify and provide solutions to potential issues.