Year of traffic disruption saved by smart City site sharing

A Thames Water project saved commuters in London more than a year of disruption after smart sharing of its work site with other companies.

The water company had to close a busy road in the City of London to complete a three-month project to connect Bishopsgate properties to a new water main.

In order to get it open again quickly and reduce the need for further closures, Thames Water worked with other utilities providers, local government and developers to carry out simultaneous work. This included broadband connections, gas main works and transport improvements.

By cooperating with the companies, such as Cadent, Virgin Media and Reach Active, the scheme is estimated to have saved more than 400 days of additional disruption to residents and road users.

The success of the project has now been recognised after it was named the best collaborative work site at the inaugural Roadworks Charter Awards.

Thames Water’s Harry Mistry said: “It was a significant challenge to co-ordinate and manage so many organisations and contractors while maintaining a safe site at one of the network’s busiest locations, so it’s a credit that we did it all successfully.

“It’s in everyone’s interests to ensure our projects are efficient and reduce disruption to residents and the public as much as possible. It’s a no-brainer to work with other industries on these kinds of projects, which benefits not only us, but customers too.”

The Roadworks Charter was launched a year ago to make roadworks safer, more sustainable and less disruptive.

To mark its first anniversary, Transport for London hosted member organisations in a virtual event earlier this month and handed out awards in categories including safety, sustainability and innovation.

A Thames Water project in Stoke Newington was also nominated for the collaboration award, while schemes in Camden and Westminster were shortlisted in the sustainable travel category.

Over the last 18 months Thames Water has worked with utility companies including SSE, Cadent and UK Power Networks on collaborative projects, saving hundreds of days of additional works and up to £10 million in costs such as road closures.