Questions
1. Do you agree there should be a minimum width for a narrow trench?
Please select one item
Radio button:
Ticked
Yes
Radio button:
Unticked
No
Please use the box below to provide details of your answer. If you answered yes, please specify a minimum width with a justification for your suggestion.
We believe that the minimum width for narrow trenching should be set at 150mm width. We would have concerns over adequate compaction in anything less than
this width. Setting the width too narrow would exclude some materials currently permissible in the SROR and if the outcome is to reduce the width to less where
these materials can be used, further work would be required to set performance requirements of any such materials. We have seen narrow trenching abandoned
recently by a statutory undertaker in favour of a traditional build due to concerns over compaction.
this width. Setting the width too narrow would exclude some materials currently permissible in the SROR and if the outcome is to reduce the width to less where
these materials can be used, further work would be required to set performance requirements of any such materials. We have seen narrow trenching abandoned
recently by a statutory undertaker in favour of a traditional build due to concerns over compaction.
What should the intervention limits for Narrow Trenching be?
2. Do you think that the existing intervention limits in the current code are sufficient for narrow trenching?
Please select one item
Radio button:
Unticked
Yes
Radio button:
Ticked
No
Please use the box below to provide details of your answer. If you answered no, please provide details of any additional intervention limits you believe should be included, with a justification for your suggestion.
The current SROR is sufficient for intervention limits if the minimum width is set at 150mm. If the outcome is to allow the width to be less than 150mm then we
would recommend that further research is undertaken to determine what the new levels should be. If this step is taken consideration should be given to including
any these new limits in any future updates of the SROR.
Having differing intervention levels in two separate publications could lead to confusion.
would recommend that further research is undertaken to determine what the new levels should be. If this step is taken consideration should be given to including
any these new limits in any future updates of the SROR.
Having differing intervention levels in two separate publications could lead to confusion.
What should the minimum depth of cover for narrow Trenching be?
3a. Should the code specify a minimum depth of cover for narrow trenches?
Please select one item
Radio button:
Ticked
Yes
Radio button:
Unticked
No
Please select one item
Radio button:
Ticked
Yes
Radio button:
Unticked
No
Please describe any suggestions for a minimum depth of cover to be applied to a narrow trench. Please use the box below to provide details of your answers.
The minimum depth should follow the NJUG guidance, only by exception should services be laid shallow. Footway 250mm – 350mm and carriageways 450mm –
600mm.
Absolutely no apparatus should be allowed within the bound layers in any circumstance. If the outcome of this consultation is the services are allowed within the
bound layer of any road construction we would recommend that the company laying these are advised they are sacrificial and will be required to replace/move
said services in the event of any planned works. It is highly likely that services within the bound layer will be damaged and anyone undertaking works of this
nature should not beat the costs for future works.
600mm.
Absolutely no apparatus should be allowed within the bound layers in any circumstance. If the outcome of this consultation is the services are allowed within the
bound layer of any road construction we would recommend that the company laying these are advised they are sacrificial and will be required to replace/move
said services in the event of any planned works. It is highly likely that services within the bound layer will be damaged and anyone undertaking works of this
nature should not beat the costs for future works.
3b. Preferred material for some layers?
Please select one item
Radio button:
Ticked
Yes
Radio button:
Unticked
No
Please select one item
Radio button:
Ticked
Yes
Radio button:
Unticked
No
Please use the box below to provide details of your answer, providing suggestions for preferred materials.
Yes but materials such be thoroughly researched and performance specification developed if not currently contained with the specification of Reinstatement of
Roads (SROR)
Roads (SROR)
3c. Should the code specify a means of keeping/providing evidence that the apparatus has been installed at the required depth of cover?
Please select one item
Radio button:
Ticked
Yes
Radio button:
Unticked
No
Please use the box below to provide details of your answer, providing suggestions for any means of evidencing the installation of apparatus at the required depth of cover.
Yes. The Scottish Road Works Register (SRWR) has the facility to store photographs and installers should be required to record inspections showing the correct
cover has been met.
Further thought should be given to ensuring that if anyone whilst undertaking works strikes and damages a shallow cable that has not been recorded is not held
liable for repairing of same and included in any new code.
cover has been met.
Further thought should be given to ensuring that if anyone whilst undertaking works strikes and damages a shallow cable that has not been recorded is not held
liable for repairing of same and included in any new code.
Placement of narrow trenches
4. Should the code specify a means of keeping/providing evidence that the apparatus has been installed at the required depth of cover?
Please select one item
Radio button:
Ticked
Yes
Radio button:
Unticked
No
Please use the box below to provide details of your answer, providing suggestions for any means of evidencing the installation of apparatus at the required depth of cover.
Site photographs date and time referenced
Should there be a presumption in favour of trenchless pipe laying where possible?
5. Should the code require that trenchless pipe laying be the preferred method of installation over narrow trenching? This would restrict narrow trenching to only being used where trenchless pipe laying cannot be achieved.
Please select one item
Radio button:
Ticked
Yes
Radio button:
Unticked
No
Please use the box below to justify your answer.
Trenchless pipe laying will speed up works, reduce impact to the travelling public and reduce the amount of excavations undertaken which will help protect the
road fabric.
road fabric.
Ground conditions
6. Should narrow trenching be Prohibited where certain ground conditions are encountered?
Please use the box below to justify your answer providing details on any restrictions on ground conditions you feel ought to apply.
Poor ground conditions or large areas of rock and or peat could be areas to consider. Any placing of apparatus within the bound layers should also be prohibited.
Site safety – signing, lighting and guarding
7. Is the current safety code adequate for narrow trenching?
Please select one item
Radio button:
Ticked
Yes
Radio button:
Unticked
No
Please use the box below to provide details of any specific safety considerations for narrow-trenching.
Introducing a further code would lead to possible confusion and unnecessary additional costs
Any works should follow the Safety at Street Works COP. We do not see any specific safety concerns away from normal works activities
Any works should follow the Safety at Street Works COP. We do not see any specific safety concerns away from normal works activities
Encounters with rock
8. Please answer the qustions below.
| Should there be a requirement to cut a slot where rock is encountered? Yes Radio button: Checked Yes | Should there be a requirement to cut a slot where rock is encountered? No Radio button: Not checked No |
| Should the code require that apparatus be laid at a shallow depth when rock is encountered, subject to an appropriate notification method? Yes Radio button: Checked Yes | Should the code require that apparatus be laid at a shallow depth when rock is encountered, subject to an appropriate notification method? No Radio button: Not checked No |
| Should there be a requirement to stop works and hold a joint site visit as soon as rock is encountered? Yes Radio button: Checked Yes | Should there be a requirement to stop works and hold a joint site visit as soon as rock is encountered? No Radio button: Not checked No |
Are there any other issues you wish to raise which are not covered?
9. Do you have any other comments about any of the issues raised in this consultation?
If so, please use the box below to provide details.
No
Part three - assessing impact
Question – equality impacts . Are there any likely impacts the proposals contained within this consultation may have on particular groups of people, with reference to the ‘protected characteristics’ listed above?
Please be as specific as possible.
No
Question – children and young people . Do you think the proposals contained within this consultation may have any additional implications on the safety of children and young people?
Do you think the proposals contained within this consultation may have any additional implications on the safety of children and young people?
No
Question – business impacts . Do you think the proposals contained in this consultation are likely to increase or reduce the costs and burdens placed on any sector?
Please be as specific as possible.
Dependant on the outcome of the consultation further costs may be incurred if apparatus is not laid at required depth and exceptions notified accordingly. Further
costs will also be incurred to ensure performance specification is set if trenches are permitted that will exclude current SROR.
costs will also be incurred to ensure performance specification is set if trenches are permitted that will exclude current SROR.
Question – privacy impacts . Are there any likely impacts the proposals contained in this consultation may have upon the privacy of individuals?
Please be as specific as possible.
No
About you
Are you responding as an individual or an organisation?
Please select one item
(Required)
Radio button:
Unticked
Individual
Radio button:
Ticked
Organisation
What is your organisation?
Organisation
Dundee City Council