Thurrock Utilities Survey

As part of an ongoing planning application to develop the Lakeside Retail Park, Thurrock Utilities survey was carried out to provide data that will be used in the prospective design. 

Utilities surveys trace and map underground utilities services and are conducted by our specialist underground surveying team on the roads and footpaths surrounding the site. A topographic survey was conducted first to provide accurate details on the area to be surveyed, including any restrictions and imitations for the underground team, and to provide an overground plan of the area that we overlay the utility data onto. 

Keeping Traffic Flowing at Thurrock Retail Park 

Conducting the utilities survey was not without its challenges. The roads that needed surveying were multi-lane with heavy traffic. Stopping the traffic around the busy retail park was not a viable option, so rather than impose a traffic management system we used Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technology mounted on a vehicle. This enabled us to survey the roads whilst driving, which we did at night to reduce disruption. Using the vehicle also enabled us to cover the entire area in one go and ensured the safety of our team. 

Thurrock Utilities Survey Uncovers Rebar With GPR Scanning 

Whilst conducting the GPR survey, the existence of rebar mesh under the tarmac was discovered. The site had previously been a quarry, and the roads were reinforced with rebar. Because it is made of metal, rebar creates signal interference that affects the GPR data. 

Discovering that the mesh was under the road surface will be useful information for the design and wider project teams during any potential excavation work. Despite the mesh making services undetectable by radar, we were able to obtain record information relating to existing services under the road surface. These were overlaid on our CAD drawings to provide our client with as much information as possible.