TRU East | Transpennine Route Upgrade

A 97% diesel reduction at the first attempt is a great achievement. Saving close to 6,000 litres of diesel is the same as driving a family car at 40 mpg twice around the circumference of the world. It’s also clear where we have learnt the lessons from Llanwern so we can aim to close that small gap. We really want to get to that 100% fuel-free figure by the time of our next challenge, planned for a rail renewal project later in the summer. There’s no doubt these technologies are going to be a complete game-changer and we need to push on to get to a place where using this type of technology is just business as usual.

Highways England’s environmental strategy seeks to help protect, manage and enhance the quality of the surrounding environment.

The use of Prolectric solar powered lights on the project is an excellent innovative approach by the A14 Integrated delivery team. The use of renewable power sources on the A14 scheme helps us to work in greater harmony with the environment.

I was familiar with the off-grid benefits of Prolectric solar lighting from previous trials, so I knew that using the ProTemps at Euston would mean we would get reliable site illumination without having to connect to mains electricity, therefore achieving a welcome saving in utility charges. As the substation site is next to a residential estate, it was also important that we make all reasonable efforts to reduce our impacts, such as noise from generators. My role at Skanska is to encourage environmental improvement and promote the use of equipment powered by renewable sources. It is important for contractors to be aware of solar-powered alternative for temporary lighting where it can reduce any adverse environmental impacts, and it will also help to save on project costs.