Continental Junction HV Switchgear Case Study

On behalf of Octavius Infrastructure as part of the Southern Renewals Enterprise, Lowery is proud to have played our role in the safe, accident-free and timely renewal and commissioning of the 2nd HV Switchgear replacement of CP7 in Southern at Continental Junction.

Lowery, as specialist E&P installation partner for the works replaced the Schneider Electric 3-panel stainless-steel module to house the new HV Switchgear plus equipment; Relocated 2no. Transformers; and delivered associated cabling, LV and SCADA modifications.

The Continental Junction site itself, the former site of divergence from the Ashford to Folkestone Line and the HS1 route to the Channel Tunnel, presented many access and logistics challenges. The site itself is located on a small piece of land between the Network Rail and HS1 lines, adjacent to a depot, and partially covered by OHL.

A safe and intelligent access approach was required and facilitated by Octavius’ project leadership. Setting up road barriers along the access path to protect people and then using Vortok fencing to continue to site, some 400m in all. Materials and plant were bought in by Octavius’ RRVs with Lowery supporting co-ordination.

To deliver the works safely and accident-free, key measures included:

  • Close co-ordination with Octavius’ site leadership to facilitate plant and equipment delivery in the available safe access.
  • Lowery’s commissioning team required the support of a UKPN SAP, which Octavius provided and co-ordinated with the agreed programme of works to ensure timely delivery and productivity.
  • Limited space on-site meant restricted use of mechanised equipment, i.e. sensitive hand-digging was required more than would be ordinarily preferred – close co-ordination between Lowery and Octavius site leadership ensured fatigue was pro-actively monitored, people were safe and productive outputs were achieved.

Lowery Project Manager, Ricky Clitherow, commended the delivery of the project and the team behind it: “This is our second CP7 commission on behalf of Octavius within the SRE and I’m proud of the collaborative approach, by all parties, and thank everyone involved for the productivity, quality and above all safety of the works delivery in a challenging high-risk environment. We’ve delivered accident and incident-free in a place where that’s more difficult than usual. Thank you to the team for their safe behaviours and to Liam Green, Steve Phelps, Mark Davies and Stefan Rossi at Octavius for their safety leadership.”