Overview
In 2012, Southend-On-Sea Council reviewed their community lighting strategy and concluded that LED street lighting would provide residents with a more effective and sustainable solution. They went on to win £13.5m funding to install over 14,400 new LED streetlights in 95% of the borough, as part of a ‘Save to Invest’ scheme.
The Challenge
With an ageing demographic and increasing number of tourists, Southend-On-Sea’s street lighting had become inadequate, too costly to maintain, and often substandard. The Council identified that the scheme would have community benefits such as: better home security, improved night-time visibility, and an enhanced visitor experience.
The coordination with piers, parks and subways was a challenge for Marlborough, as well as attempting to minimise disruption of 180,000 residents and business, completing 3.2m of linear metre carriageway in 34 zones and managing the supply/fit with an International supplier.
Fact File
Client Southend-on-Sea City Council
Date August 2015 – December 2017
Duration 30 months
Value £13.5 million
Project
- Replacement of 6,400+ steel columns
- Replacement of 1,000+ iron columns
- Installation of a CMS unit (using a 7 pin system)
- Installation of 3,200 new cast columns
- Installation of 1,000+ new bollards
- 3,100 reflective signs
Client savings
- Material cost savings of £242,000 by summer 2016.
- Over 30% energy cost savings to date.
- Cost savings allowed the Council to replace an additional 1,300+ columns.
Quote
“It’s really nice to work with main contractor, who can work side-by-side and together as one team with suppliers, other contractors and providers. Marlborough’s way of working means we do not get many resident complaints.”
Richard Backhouse, Street Light Engineer, Southend-on-Sea Borough Council
The Solution
Marlborough’s 12-year track record of managing Southend-on-Sea’s street lighting contract, which included installation and management of the 2013 trial of 1,500 LED streetlights, put them in a strong position. Lessons learned from the trial identified issues with the pre-programming software and helped solve early engineering and electrical compliance issues. This exercise developed Marlborough’s operational skills and technical know-how to manage the installation of equipment for the final scheme.
“One of the things I value most is their very collaborative and transparent team culture. It makes a big difference to have a contractor that wants to work closely with us and is supportive and responsive. With Marlborough, I get a team who are attentive, work collaboratively and honestly with me and don’t lose focus on delivering first class communications and compliance.”
“From the design stage, Marlborough has been fundamental in delivering the Broad Lane Square improvements scheme. During the works, not only did the team manage to keep to the programme, but they went the extra mile to ensure attention to detail and came up with innovative solutions to address issues encountered on site. My thanks on behalf of Haringey goes out to Marlborough for their dedication to deliver.”
“Working alongside our Term Service Contractor Marlborough Highways, we successfully completed renovations to the Crowstone Footbridge. The designs were provided by Marlborough, and the work was unique. The scheme was completed to budget and ahead of its programme duration.”
“I would like to thank you and your team for your efforts, the Marlborough crews were professional, courteous, and hard working all day and ensured the event went without a hitch. You and the team were a credit to the company, demonstrating commitment and support to the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.”
“I just wanted to say what a pleasure it has been to work with Marlborough Highways over the last six months. The quality of work is superb, and there has been some excellent collaboration between Milestone and Marlborough to complete, what at times, has been quite a challenging scheme. I hope to work with Marlborough on another project in the near future.”
“Marlborough worked with us in constructing a 1.3km cycle track. There were a number of technical difficulties to overcome, and their gifted foreman worked to propose some innovative solutions to the challenges we faced. The result is a facility that the locals are proud of, providing walkers and cyclists with alternative access to the hospital and nearby school. The scheme was a lot of hard work, but well worth it.”
“Marlborough attracts people who take care and have pride in their work. Several gangs of Operatives worked tirelessly for six months to reconstruct drainage networks, lay more than 3km of high quality bespoke granite kerbs and granite channels blocks to ensure positive drainage. The technical compliance, attention to detail and level of quality finish along the entire carriageway was exceptional”.
“We saw huge benefits in appointing Marlborough as our full service contractor and we’re impressed – they’ve delivered consistent high quality service and superior quality control across every project. Marlborough, provide us with a ‘one-stop’ shop solution – we get the same quality of service and better control across all aspects of the project.”
Please see our privacy notice for more information on how Marlborough Highways Ltd take care of your details.