Padiham – Gas Insulated Switchgear Substation Building, Lancashire
Client/end user: Hitachi / EWN / National Grid
Services provided: Civil engineering and building design and construction
Scope: Design and construction of the new Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) Substation building.
Alpha’s scope included the detailed design, including piled foundations, portal steel frame with single and composite cladding, metal deck suspended 1st floor slab, complete with overhead gantry crane and finishes. External works included new cable ducting, drainage, earthing mat and lighting.
Unusual aspects:
- Significant temporary works and controls were required to construct the works, with multiple stakeholders involved in the coordination thereof. Perched surface water sat on the clay substrata provided a particular challenge when constructing the foundations through winter.
- Himalayan Balsam was also encountered resulting additional controls being implemented to prevent further spread of the invasive plant.
- The works commenced in early 2020 just before the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions were introduced in the UK with the additional measures required being instigated promptly to allow the works to continue. Detailed ground investigations were required to establish underground services and obstructions to enable the development of the design.
- To provide a segregated access for pedestrians to the works through the existing live substation a pedestrian timber “tunnel” and long term temporary fencing were constructed before the start of the permanent works.
