The project objective was to clear the site of all the existing utilities by diverting them to pre-determined locations around the perimeter of the site to allow the construction of the new exhibition and conference centre and hotel complex to be constructed.

The project involved the excavation of 2.3km of trenches 1.5m deep across the site to facilitate diversions of High & Low Voltage Power Cables and also Control Cables for Overhead Transmission Lines. The area to be excavated contained various steep inclines and changes in ground levels, in addition to this there was two streams running across the site to be negotiated at various locations. The timing and completion of the utility diversions was critical and key to the planned construction works as the presence of the existing live utilities running through the site severely curtailed these major excavation works.

The project was planned and co-ordinated in conjunction with all the respective stakeholders to ensure that the critical timescales were met to allow the major construction works to proceed as planned.

With regards to the water crossings, discussions were held at length with SEPA and permits were issued that covered all the water crossing and were also applicable to the full job as most of the steep gradients on the site ran down to a watercourse.

All the required High & Low Voltage Cable Diversions were completed on time, including the installation of the two armoured Transmission Control Cables, both of which were 1.6km in length and were required to be installed without intermediate joints. This satisfactory conclusion of the planned utility diversions on time allowed the site contractor to proceed with the major earth moving and construction works as planned.