Laying a 36 km stretch of new water pipeline through farmland and rural communities isn’t easy. It takes careful coordination, trust between teams and a clear focus on quality from start to finish. Landowners need to feel reassured and the fields be reinstated to their original condition once construction is complete.
This was the task at hand on the LRT section of Anglian Water’s Strategic Pipeline Alliance (SPA), based in Hadleigh, Suffolk.
We were chosen for the job due to the trust built over many years with Anglian Water’s @one Alliance. Our approach to site engineering is unique; it’s not about filling a gap with labour, it’s about managing the service from start to finish with care, accuracy and responsibility.
“EASE has been engaged on many of our projects delivered with Anglian Water’s @one Alliance. Their approach, attitude, flexibility and attention to detail align perfectly with our collaborative working model.”
Terry Warrie, Anglian Water
Last month, our invaluable work and reliability was recognised when the LRT team was awarded Anglian Water’s Team of the Year.
A different kind of site engineering
Site engineering as a full service is still fairly new in construction and EASE are proud to help pioneer it. Many projects still rely on labour agencies or internal setting out teams. We do things differently.
At EASE, we take full responsibility and liability for all our work. Our engineers are matched to each phase of delivery, and we manage everything from pre-construction surveys and setting out, to quality assurance, as-built surveys and soil management.
That means fewer handovers, better communication and reliable results.
We worked directly with the @one Alliance throughout the project at Hadleigh and we’re proud to be Anglian Water’s primary site engineering company. That trust reflects years of consistent delivery, careful planning and transparent collaboration.
What we delivered
We managed all site engineering activities on the Hadleigh section of the pipeline. This included setting out the pipeline and infrastructure in line with the design, running quality assurance (QA) checks, completing as-built surveys, monitoring soil conditions and helping with the reinstatement of farmland at the end.
The route ran through active farmland and rural areas, so minimising disruption to landowners and restoring the ground to its original state was essential. As part of this, we recorded and marked out all existing field boundaries and access points at the start of the project, using these references throughout reinstatement.
We also worked closely with the wider delivery team, covering everyone involved in planning, design, construction and managing activity on site. This integral collaboration helped maintain a consistent pace across the full 36 km. As ground conditions, weather and delivery pressures changed, we adapted our approach to suit and our work gave the client confidence in the quality and accuracy of the new pipeline.
Results
Here’s what we helped to achieve;:
- No delays or errors recorded in the areas we managed
- Project awarded Anglian Water’s Team of the Year
- 36 km pipeline delivered accurately and on time
- Supported wider work across Suffolk, Norfolk and the East of England
Navigating site challenges
This was the first time we’d worked on a pipeline of this length and it came with its own set of challenges! Anglian Water trusted us with that responsibility thanks to our previous work and long-term relationship with them.
Ground conditions changed along the route and planning had to take local variations into account. One of the most challenging parts of the delivery was working through the winter months when ground conditions were at their most unpredictable and weather made day-to-day coordination efforts slightly more onerous.
We overcame these challenges by always having the right engineers on site at the right time; helping maintain peak performance across every phase. Managing soil excavation and reinstatement carefully was a priority from the start and remains a key focus as the final stages progress.
With the work within touching distance of finishing, our focus is on final surveys, field restoration, soil management and demobilisation.
Why our approach worked
The Hadleigh pipeline is a great example of how a joined-up service can make a difference to a project’s success. With clear roles and consistent delivery, the work kept moving with few interruptions or delays.
As we looked after setting out, QA, as-built surveys and soil management in one package, the client didn’t need to coordinate multiple suppliers. Our engineers worked closely with the wider team, helping solve any issues quickly and maintaining quality on site.
Site engineering gives a project structure and support. When it’s done well, it can help everything else run smoothly.
What’s next for EASE
We continue to support Anglian Water across all key projects in the region.
Some of our other projects include Sizewell C, multiple schemes in the renewable energy sector, Galliford Try on the A47, support for Severn Trent Water and Thames Water.
Together, these projects are helping to strengthen critical infrastructure across the East of England and beyond.
The Hadleigh project shows how a practical, reliable approach to site engineering can support a successful outcome. From early planning to reinstatement, our team focused on doing the job to the highest standards, keeping the project plan on track.
Site engineering that fits the framework
This project highlights the benefits of consistent, accountable site engineering built into every phase of delivery. By taking ownership from the outset, our team helped maintain quality, reduce risk and keep momentum across a complex job.
We continue to support long-term frameworks in water, renewable energy and infrastructure, providing technical oversight and clear communication from start to finish.
If you’re preparing for upcoming work and would like to learn more about how this approach could support your team, we’d be happy to talk with you.
