Farncombe to Petersfield Rail Upgrade: Utility Search and Utility Mapping
Project Overview:
Between 2022 and 2024, civil engineers delivered a major programme of signalling, track, and level crossing upgrades on the Farncombe to Petersfield stretch of the London–Portsmouth rail line.
To support the project, a leading engineering consultancy appointed Premier Energy to carry out a Utility Record Search and produce a PALM 128 Utility Map. With a proven track record of delivering high-quality PAS 128 and HSG47 compliant Utility Search Reports and clear, compliant Utility Mapping Premier Energy was well-placed to provide the expertise required.
Accurate utility records are vital for any civil engineering project. They reduce the risk of accidents, injuries, and costly damage to underground infrastructure by giving engineers a clear picture of buried utilities—enabling safer, more efficient planning and design.
At the project’s outset, Premier Energy worked closely with the client to define the exact area of interest and reporting specifications. The 21-mile route was divided into 21 manageable sections, making the reports and mapping easy to use. Recognising the importance of working with the most up-to-date utility asset information, the client instructed Premier Energy to refresh the Utility Record Search and update the PAS 128 Utility Map every three months for the duration of the project.
Premier Utility Search Report:
Using our intelligent search processes, we identified over 30 utility companies who were known to operate in and around the area. These were contacted by our dedicated in-house team of utility search experts.
The Utility Search Report comprised all the C2 utility maps retuned by the incumbent utility companies as well as maps from independent network operators in the vicinity. The report included our intuitive RAG rating system to clearly identify affected utility companies within the site, and those nearby or adjacent to the site. The Utility Search Report was delivered within 20 working days of the initial order and was fully PAS128 (Quality Level D) and HSG47 compliant.
PALM 128 Utility Map:
The PALM 128 is our innovative multi-layered interactive utility map that brings together all the utility assets from C2 utility records into a single georeferenced utility map. The PALM 128 Utility Map is fully compliant with PAS 128 making it an essential information source for Health and Safety compliance. Utilities are displayed in separate layers and can be turned on/off in order to be viewed in any combination. This makes it simple for users to view complex utility records in a simple straightforward format whilst understanding the proximity to work location of existing utility equipment. The final PALM 128 Utility Map was delivered as an interactive PDF and DWG.
How we helped our Client
The Utility Search Report covered the full length of the 63km cable route with the PALM128 Utility Map clearly showing the affected utilities within an agreed buffer of the rail line. The PALM128 Utility Map was delivered as an interactive PDF for use in the office and could also be accessed on site via a suitable tablet device. The PALM 128 Utility Map was also delivered as a DWG for use in CAD systems.
Together the Utility Search Report and PALM 128 Utility Map provided our client with clear, easy to interpret information essential for project planning and fulfilling health and safety obligations.
If you’re working on an infrastructure project that requires a clear understanding of complex utility information then get in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable team.