How To Build A Railway
This article from Rail Engineer, discusses the building of the Borders Railway.
It doesn’t have seem to have been plain sailing all the way. One section deals with what Network Rail called the Utilities Challenge.
In discussion with Hugh, it was clear that the diversion of public utilities was one area where some work had not gone well. Although some utilities had diverted their services in an effective manner, other companies had proved problematic and had not been able to give a time for their diversions. Some utilities had many different departments, were very procedurally orientated and could not programme their work effectively. For example, materials could not be ordered until a certain stage was complete.
Often problems were discovered at a late stage. In one case, a problem on an associated route required a road closure that then delayed work for a further three months. Hugh felt that, for some companies, the length of their supply chain would not be acceptable on railway projects. Effective liaison is not possible when the project only has contact with two men digging holes who are sub-sub-contractors.
Doesn’t any of us who’s ever connected a new property to the mains know of the arrogance of those doing the work.
It’s happened before to transport projects.
This article on the BBC web site, which talks about delays to the construction of Phase 2 of the Nottingham Express Transit says this.
The contractors blamed the latest delay on the need relocate underground utilities.
This article on the Wolverhampton Express and Star talks about delays to the construction of the Midland Metro.
Issues that have caused the delays include underground utilities not being in the locations that transport authority Centro were led to believe, and the strength of the slabs currently in place.
Perhaps Network Rail and other big users of utilities, should create a web site, where we can all enter our complaints.
Or how about a web site called How To Sue Your Surveyor!
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The Anonymous Widower 
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