Eaton Crossing Rapid Route Cable Management

As part of a new solar farm development, a solution was required to carry cabling infrastructure across Honeydon Brook, a 6-metre-wide stream at Eaton Crossing. The wider site installation involved direct drilling and underground cable ducts; however, the project required a safe and environmentally considerate method of crossing the stream without disturbing the surrounding embankment or watercourse. The area also presented several environmental sensitivities, including nearby trees and bird nesting constraints, which created a time-sensitive installation window.

The client required an elevated cable troughing system capable of supporting and separating cable runs across the stream, while reducing the need for disruptive excavation or concrete-based works. Due to the nature of the location, the solution also needed to be installed safely near moving water and completed efficiently to meet environmental deadlines.

Testing

The system was installed in line with existing generic global stability reports previously produced for the Rapid Route system, with additional structural calculations carried out as a precaution.

The design requirements for the crossing were relatively low, with each trough carrying no more than 10kg/m. This was comfortably within the troughing capacity, which is rated for up to 90kg/m. The ground conditions were suitable for installation, with good ground encountered on the sloped stream embankment. This provided a stable basis for the Anchor Screw foundations and the elevated troughing arrangement.

Solution

Anchor Systems supplied a Rapid Route Cable Management arrangement consisting of AS1595 Anchor Screws, interface plates, cable posts and elevated size 2 troughing. Two 6-metre lengths of troughing were installed adjacent to one another to provide cable separation across the stream.

The Anchor Screws were installed using a 400H Torque Head and relevant installation accessories. This allowed the foundations to be installed quickly and cleanly, without the need for concrete or extensive ground disturbance. The use of Anchor Screws provided a practical foundation solution for supporting the elevated cable route in a sensitive environment.

Installation was completed within a single day shift by Site7. Due to the proximity of the works to moving water, additional health and safety controls were implemented, including the use of harnesses and ensuring lifejackets were available nearby. The final installation provided a robust elevated cable crossing for the solar farm infrastructure, while helping to minimise environmental disruption around the stream.

By using Anchor Systems’ Rapid Route Cable Management system with Anchor Screw foundations, the project achieved a quick, low-impact and reliable solution for routing cables across a challenging watercourse location.