London full fibre broadband network

Our teams have been working to excavate and install a brand new below-ground ducting full fibre broadband network across London.

The scope of work includes

• pre-condition surveys and trial holes to identify services
• excavation of roads and footways
• installation of 50mm and 100mm ducting in footways and carriageways
• installation of brick-built manholes in carriageway and plastic manholes in footways
• placing backfill and compacting
• permanent reinstatement to council and highways specification.

The works are located across the London boroughs of Westminster, Islington, Camden, Brixton, Hammersmith & Fulham and Hackney. We have worked at more than 150 sites to date.

Our client G.Network told us they’d received a report from a local council stating

how impressed they are with the workers on site and the tidiness of the surrounding areas.

Two members of Hackney Council who had been doing a borough tour complimented one of our managers in mid-May:

The best-looking site we have visited today.

Buried services

London’s streets are extremely congested with existing buried services. Our team is overcoming the challenges of finding a clear route for the new fibre broadband network. We are using detailed planning and documentation to mitigate the risks from buried services and maintain productivity for our client.

We deliver on our promises

In July 2021 G.Network emailed us a copy of a customer compliment they had received after works in Marylebone: “I just want to say, the G-Networks team have been incredible. I have been in management for many years, I have never seen such amazing service from all the various teams today. Everyone worked together well to overcome so many hurdles and complications, especially the roadworks. Thank you.”

In addition, the G.Network sales manager said:

Please forward our gratitude to the fab civils and installation team. They did a brilliant job, and pulled out all the stops. Thank them for all their hard work. They always give their all, and go the extra mile whenever asked.

In July 2020, G.Network’s civils supervisor particularly complimented multi-skilled streetworks operative Afrim Cakani and ganger Clive Webster.

“This team has been exceptional for us. We have no-over-runs, in fact they finish jobs early, saving company money, and saving on materials as they utilise where they can.

“Work is always done to a great standard … they are an asset to mini civils and VGC.

“Can’t rate them highly enough.”

We look after each other

Site leader Alexandru Dumitriu won the March 2020 See it, share it award after he noticed worn tools, and replaced them. He raised an observation so other people could be reminded to check.

G.Network’s civils supervisor commended site leader Reece Grace for donating shopping to an elderly resident who couldn’t get out during the COVID lockdown, and for giving her a TV when hers broke.

Reece should be recognised for going above and beyond within the local community and showing a positive representation of both VGC and G.Network at these challenging times.

Adapting to coronavirus

Throughout the COVID-19 outbreak our teams have continued to meet G.Network’s requirements. Adjusted working arrangements have ensured the safety of our team as well as visitors and members of the public.

Site manager Jason Elley said: “As soon as the coronavirus crisis started, we immediately reviewed our working practices. We made changes to keep people safe and minimise the risk of transmitting the virus. For example, we installed additional welfare facilities into our fleet on site, so our operatives always have somewhere to wash their hands.

“The full fibre broadband works are located on or next to highways and footways, so they are under public gaze. As well as the safety of our own people, we ensure that any footway diversions do not compromise pedestrians’ ability to maintain appropriate social distance.”