I had the pleasure of conducting a Site Safety Audit this morning out at The Coach House, West Stoke. I would just like to take this opportunity to report back to you and your company on my findings. This was a very positive site visit, the two guys on site were positive and very professional throughout, fully PPE compliant, correct documentation, good site safety with a fully safe and compliant excavation, correct signing and guarding. A good positive, friendly can do attitude. A great advert for your company, it was refreshing to meet such fine men. They were also very aware and accommodating to the public safety of the customers and their visitors who were also on site. This is a very sensitive customer with what has been a very tricky job to complete for SSEN. I hope you will give them my feedback and say very well done, keep doing what they are doing.
Best regards Andy Burlington, Project manager - Field South East Region, Scottish and Southern Electricity NetworksNow that we have the Cell/Whit cable circuit energised, I thought it appropriate to drop you a note of thanks. The teams deployed by Durkins on the project have always been diligent, hardworking and undaunted during the more challenging times, of which there have been many. Whilst this project has undoubtedly been difficult, the approach from all the guys has remained focussed on the end goal and the quality of work has remained at a consistently high standard. This, coupled with the ability of the teams to self-manage has allowed WPD to focus on other areas in need of attention, which has been much appreciated.
During the final commissioning phase of the project, we were thrown a few curve balls, but the adaptability, determination and good spirit shown by the guys helped us complete on time. I try and ensure I thank the guys personally as we draw to the end of a project, but some have left before I have had the chance. With this being the case I would appreciate it if you could pass on my sincere thanks to all those that have been involved in this project and I look forward to working with you all in the future.
Dave Bennett - Project Engineer
WESTERN POWER DISTRIBUTION
I wanted to submit a big thank you to Paul, Andy (the only names I caught) and all the other Durkin guys who have been involved in the work taking place at the front of my house over the past week. I understand they operate out of your Portsmouth base.
The project, organised by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, involved the supply to my property being 'unlooped' from my neighbour and the provision of a new supply connected directly to the main supply cable running up the road. The direct connection required a trench to be dug across my block paved driveway, across the pavement and across the road to accommodate my new supply cable. As I am currently working from home I was available to liaise with the guys as necessary, see how the job progressed - and keep them topped up with tea and coffee.
The work was finally completed this morning when another 3 faces appeared to apply a tarmac finish to the affected areas of the pavement and fill-in a hole in the driveway and replace the stone blocks. I have to say I was very impressed by the way in which the drive has been returned to the same state in which it was found. I would imagine the guy who replaced the paving blocks is very good at completing jigsaw puzzles!
This sort of work is often fraught with problems that can cause delays which results in the guys on the ground getting moaned at from all different directions. In this instance I would like to pile on the praise. I did personally thank the guys who were on site last week as they left. After welcoming the 3 guys who appeared this morning with the usual mugs of tea and coffee I popped out for an hour or so. When I returned, the guys, their signage, barriers and associated paraphernalia were gone so I never got to thank them in person.
Please can you ensure the bosses of all the guys are aware of a job well done. It would be nice if they could be told from above that they have a satisfied customer. Now, where's my shopping list? I just need to make sure I add tea, coffee and sugar to it!
Kind regards and a Merry Christmas
Steve Rawlins 32 Larchfield Road Fleet Hants GU527LW SSEN Job Ref no: ETW353
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is investing £1.5m over to boost the resilience of the power supply to an island off the south east coast of England. Situated in the borough of Havant, Hayling Island and its 8,000 residents will benefit from the upgrade works that are now under way, with completion expected in November this year. The project, which will build resilience to the area’s power supply through the upgrade and replacement of 12 kilometres of high voltage cable, will also allow for future commercial and residential connections. The six-month long programme of works will keep the island’s infrastructure resilient and secure for decades to come. While the project is looking ahead to ensure a power supply that is fit for the future, it is also taking into account the surrounding environment. Letter drops will be carried out to homes and businesses to update them on the phases of the project as it reaches their immediate area as some of the areas of the upgrade may lead to traffic management systems and road closures (with local access) being used temporarily. Durkin & Sons
Nigel, Lee and The Team Just to say a big "Thank You" for the kindness you showed me and Sam during the time you were working here. You have all been so friendly and have done the work so considerately and we will miss seeing you. We feel like we have made a couple of friends. You are all a credit to Durkin & Sons and we wish all of you the very best for the future. Nigel
Dear Mr Durkin A team from your company have just dug trenches, and also laid cables in our garden, on behalf of Scottish & Southern Electric. We would like to compliment Nigel Lloyd, Lee Shirley and John Lloyd for their hard work under adverse weather conditions, made worse by the heavy clay soil. They were so helpful and willing, and made a very good job of the job. John & Jean PS We would like to mention that on one occasion they came out of their way home from another project, to bring us milk, as we were unable to get our car out owing to the snow. We were very touched by this act of kindness.
Dear Sirs I wanted to write and say how prompt and professional your water supply pipe repair team were. Even though the job took longer than they expected, they completed the work, cleared up, and gave ongoing advice. They were also polite and positive from the start, even working in heavy rain to get completion. Many thanks to you and your team Regards Robert Inglis
Good afternoon Rob, Steve, I wanted to take this opportunity while I am still here to thank Durkin & Sons for all the hard work & above & beyond assistance they have provided myself, Richard Acton, & Petersfield Town over these last eighteen months regarding the Petersfield LV & HV Overbuild. Whilst I respect there are still some minor connections to take place & tidying up it has been a what I would call a triumph where local residents & business’s have benefitted from new footways, relayed footways/sets and in some cases joint funding for small improvements whilst your gangs have been in the same location. All excepted idea’s have been agreed & bought in to for quicker works progress which we both know have really contributed to Petersfield coming out of this major project looking considerably better for these works. It is fair to say that at times technical planning problems have been challenging & forced these works to take longer than expected but with the hard work from yourself mostly on a daily basis & Steve, doing his level best to match the drive to get this in, in a timely manner with the most minimal disruption to all locals, residents and road users have clearly shown what proper coordination & working relationship can be like when executed in this way. I personally wish to thank yourself & the working team under your administration for buying in to some of my more aesthetic idea’s which in all cases have caused a exceptionally rare win win, win, win situations. Only common sense, knowledge on how to complete major projects on the outside & inside and that true understanding of working together and going that extra mile bring can bring these idea’s to fruition. I will miss the opportunity to work with you again, should the Hayling Island overbuild finally happen but in the meantime my thanks for all the above hard work. We know what we have achieved in Petersfield, the business know what we have achieved in Petersfield & Petersfield depot Management know what we have achieved in Petersfield & for the most part people in Petersfield have seem a massive street-works improvement. I will still see you about on my patch but your hard work, I might add along with Durkins at Leigh Park has been nothing but the best. Kind regards Phill Neale Advanced Technician Hampshire Highways
I have been very impressed with the way Durkin & Sons have worked in the area under tough conditions. The guys on site are pro-active in dealing with residents and local businesses which has kept all involved happy, they’re a real credit to the company. Rob James Senior Streetworks CoordinatorBalfour Beatty
On behalf of the parish we would like to thank your company for their excellent and most friendly manner of how they treated our parish with the SSE work over nearly a year. They were lovely and most helpful, even amusing . Many thanks to Geoff Collie and his team. Please convey our message to them. We rather miss them in the village. Karen Pare Chairman of Idbury Parish