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The Department of Transport has recently issued a letter to all Chief Executives of Highway Authorities regarding the deployment of superfast broadband and street works.
JAG(UK) comments on the Minister's Letter regarding Narrow Trenching:
Narrow Trenching is a totally different option to that of Micro Trenching and this letter does not in any way change the recent SROH and DCMS Guidance Note covering Micro Trenching.
Narrow Trenching, as a concept, was initially developed in the East of England by the John Henry Group and used as a trial on sites in Cambridgeshire in a partnership with Virgin Media. DfT and DCMS have both been tracking the progress of the trial which has proved to be successful.
The "narrow trench" is 75mm wide and the cable is at a depth of 250mm within the footway. The trench is then backfilled with foam concrete and topped off with 40mm asphalt.
JAG(UK) is also aware of an experimental process being used in York where the main difference is the depth in that here cable which has a maximum cover of 150mm. DfT , DCMS and the JAG(UK) Manager are attending a briefing on this project on 13 January 2015 and an update on the proposals will be given after this meeting.
If you need to know any more about the letter, or the trials so far, please do not hesitate in contacting the JAG(UK) Manager.