Working with Local Authorities

O’Keefe Utilities Limited understands the importance of strong working relationships with the Local Highway Authorities so insist in keeping the lines of communication open.  Sharing information and understanding their requirements is of paramount importance and we ensure before any of our material is placed in a Borough we have explained the process, agreed a method of recording the information on the opening notice and provide detailed information of the material, its performance capabilities and supporting documentation.

In early 2007 O’Keefe Utilities Limited carried out a series of approved trials in carriageway and footway trenches with varying depths and traffic levels.  These trials were invaluable in giving us the opportunity to test the material in a live location and being able to demonstrate the capabilities.

The trials were carried out with EDF Energy Networks in the following Boroughs and were highly successful:

Earlier this year EDF Energy Networks received an award from Westminster City Council at the Road Management Summit commending the trials and for encouraging the use of an alternative reinstatement material.  Jonathon Rowing, the Streetwork Manager also noted;

"the prime catalyst for the giving of this award was the need to acknowledge the investment put into the development of an end to end recycled material process in partnership with O'Keefe Utilities Limited. The scale of investment and partnership by all concerned was most impressive and showed the way forward for the industry as a whole. I am sure that this will continue to develop into an industry standard and am pleased to see that Laing O'Rourke is strongly supporting this as part of their new contract with EDF Energy.”

Launching the SMARTR Process 

In conjunction with Laing O’Rourke we held an open day on the 9th October to celebrate the launch of the SMARTR processing facility and use of PV1.  This was a great opportunity for the London Boroughs to get a close look at the plant, process, meet the operations team and understand how the material is treated.

Ian Hawthorn, Head of Network Management & Enforcement Highways and Engineering Division Environment Department for London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham said;

"The London Borough of  Hammersmith & Fulham Highways fully support the use of the O'Keefe Pavimentum (PV1) as an Alternative Reinstatement Material (ARM) for all road types.

As a Borough who is truly committed to the WRAP (HAUC & Local Authorities) Memorandum of Understanding, we understand the need to provide a more sustainable approach to highways and street works and are pleased to finally see a recycled material that meets the HAUC performance criteria and can replace quarried Type 1.

My Performance Manager and team were very impressed with the mixing plant and the demonstration of your processes at the Open Day on the 9th October and look forward to seeing the material being initially used in EDF Energy trench reinstatements.  We are also reassured with the commitment from your partner Laing O'Rourke and the Quality Controls in place. We are keen to learn more and would like to visit sites were the material is being used.

We were equally impressed with your commitment to developing products for use in the highways, we are keen to be part of future trials to assist with the evolution of materials.

We wish you every success in your attempts to take a positive lead within the our industry to deliver a greener choice for all utility companies."

We are planning another open day early next year, so please contact Julie Keenan if you would like to attend: julie.keenan@okeefe.co.uk.