De-cabling the North Area

07 DECEMBER, 2024 | By Alicja Orstrega

As the North Area Consolidation De-cabling Work Package 6.4.3 Leader, I had the chance to lead a de-cabling campaign during the EYETS 2023/24. Our focus was on the Transfer Tunnels TT81-85, where we removed outdated cables to optimise the infrastructure and prepare for future upgrades. It was a challenging but very rewarding experience!

The biggest highlight for me was the successful removal of almost 1,000 cables (90 km). It’s incredibly satisfying to see the immediate impact of our work. What’s more, we managed to achieve this without any incidents – a true team effort made possible by meticulous planning, excellent collaboration with groups and users, and the professionalism of the contractor team.

The campaign began with identifying and labeling obsolete cables, combining desk work with numerous on-site inspections. Over five weeks, our skilled team worked hard to safely remove the cables. We even went beyond the initial scope, removing extra cables from the galleries to make the most of our time on-site. You can find a detailed report with lots of photos here: EDMS 3118172.

There were some hurdles along the way. For instance, the cable data was not always complete or up-to-date, so we had to do extra checks in the field to avoid mistakes. Transporting materials from multiple areas was another tricky part, but good planning and excellent collaboration made it possible. Staying on top of safety was also crucial. We locked out all systems except security during work. We carried out every step of the process with safety in mind, with daily checks and strict procedures ensuring everything went smoothly!