Surveys
At present we start new topographical surveys every few days and can usually start a survey within 3-5 days of acceptance of commission. Our topographical surveys are carried out in accordance with the standard 'topographical survey specifications' as set by The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Land Surveyor and the Architect (LSA), Manual of Contract Documents for Highways Works, Volume 5, Section 1, Highway Agency and Department of Transport.
However we pride ourselves on our ability and knowledge of our customers to carry out surveys to meet the client's specific needs. We confirm that all topographical surveys undertaken are "Verified" by a separate survey team, to ensure that all the necessary information is recorded and plotted to the correct accuracy quality, quantity and to the Clients specification.
Surveys that are generally conducted along main roads and streets, require great attention to detail. Along with our normal survey considerations, there are usually issues such as traffic and personnel safety to consider, especially where large amounts of time is required in the road, because of extra detail required such as; white lines, lane information and central reservation information. Roads are normally surveyed to extents of highway boundary, although clients sometimes require, with permission from property owners, to give them information on building positions of trees and other relevant detail when planning, large 'above road' structures.
While our typical surveys include the pinpointing of services, we are often required to survey existing Manholes to verify surface/foul sewer runs. As part of this service we visually inspect, where possible, the size and general visible condition of these services, as viewed under the cover and where possible give connection, flow and depth information. We maintain a strong client base through repeat business and pride ourselves on our ability to understand and evaluate the wishes of every individual client.
Control. Horizontal and vertical control are both arbitrary, unless required to be co-ordinated to the Ordnance Survey Grid System and Datum. Detail varies according to size and type of site and is always adjustable to the client needs. Our basic surveys will always include boundaries; trees with a diameter generally greater than 150mm will be measured and identified according to species; levels across the site are taken as a 10m grid with additional spot heights taken to account for undulating topography. Presentation is at scales from 1:50 to 1:500 dependant on the clients' needs - typically on A1 or A0 size sheets of stable base material or coloured paper copies. Digital data is supplied for use with AutoCAD in DWG/DXF format. This data is also available as a fully edited Digital Terrain Model (DTM), for use in engineering design on MX (MOSS) or the PDS design systems. Additionally we can provide 3D data using AutoCAD, which can be used as presentation packages for planning inquiries etc.
GPS (Global Positioning System) Surveying is the most advanced positioning and data recording technology available to the Land Surveyor today. Using available Satellites (Minimum 4), the Recievers record satellite signals and internal receiver software, sub-centimetre accurate horizontal and vertical positioning data is provided about any point or feature. This data can be related either to the OS National Grid Co-ordinate system or to your project's own Local Grid. The recorded data can be processed and manipulated by various software applications, depending on client requirements. The processed data is then available to the Project Team in various forms to ensure everyone has the highest quality information to hand. This is a system set up and controlled by the U.S. Military. They have to date, set up 24 satellites in orbit around the earth. These satellites send signals to earth, GPS receivers on the ground pick up these signals. The receivers use the signals from a number of satellites to calculate their own position on the earth's grid reference system with accuracy ranging from 15mm to 35mm depending on the equipment used, shortly the Russian system "Glonass" will be fully accessable with the European "Galileo" global navigation satellite system coming on 'stream' soon.
The US Military has made the use of the signals available to the civilian population through the world. This has lead to numerous new applications for the system being devised and is rapidly changing many aspects of several areas. The equipment we use is mainly the Leica 1200 GPS Smart System with back-up if necessary using Trimble 4000Ssi and 4800, dual frequency, RTK (Real Time Kinematic) system. These are versatile systems, which are capable of bringing control points accurately to the site. We record the survey data using both "Faststatic" and "Kinematic" GPS Survey procedures. We have members of staff that have successfully completed the certificated, Land Survey GPS training course, at the University of Greenwich, run by Trimble qualified training staff initially from Survey Supplies now called Korec. This course covered these survey methods and the correct use of this equipment and processing of the collected data.
We have found that GPS surveying technology is versatile and adaptable and could be utilised in most civil engineering and construction projects. It is user friendly and can link up with various software applications to give the professional surveyor an accurate and all-round surveying tool. Surveyors can work independently from other surveyors on site, allowing greater productivity.
As-Built Surveys
CD Surveys Ltd will undertake "As Built" Surveys to confirm the positions and levels of boundaries; roads, footpaths, cross-overs, light columns, name plates, pedestrian refuge etc. Once The Survey is drawn in CAD and compared to the design it can then be coloured and offered for adoption and the release of the bonds and insurance which was used for the maintnance of the scheme. Should you wish help on any of the above please contact out head office.
Section 38 relates specifically to the creation of new highways upon land in the ownership of anyone other than the highway authority. It is an agreement between the land owner and the authority for the construction of new highway and the ultimate adoption by the authority as a public highway. The agreement secures a bond for the cost of the works, to enable completion of the works by the authority upon default by the developer, usually for reasons of insolvency but occasionally in instances where the developer has failed to complete the works within a specified or 'reasonable' period of time. The agreement also identifies fees payable for supervision by the adopting authority. Any developer or his consultants must enter into a process of submitting detailed design proposals to the authority for approval prior to construction works and, sometimes, the agreement will not be entered into until the highway authority has been satisfied that all of its criteria can be met.
All highways must be drained to the satisfaction of the authority. Where the highway drains via new sewers, to be adopted as public sewers, the S.38 agreement will not usually be entered into until the authority is satisfied that the developer is entering to a sewer adoption agreement. Upon completion of the works the developer must seek the agreement of the authority to place the new highway 'on maintenance'. This is a period of 12 months at the end of which any defects are to be remedied prior to formal 'hand-over' to the authority as a public highway.
Section 278 covers proposed highway works within the existing highway (modification of highways not general excavation for different reasons). This would generally encompass works such as new traffic islands, roundabouts, junction improvements, carriageway alignment etc. and is often accompanied by a Section 38 Agreement for works outside the highway. The basic difference between this agreement and a S.38 agreement is that the developer is effectively working as a contractor to the Highway Authority and is carrying out the works on their behalf. Similar to the S.38 agreement the developer must put up a bond to cover the cost of the works (as the proposed works are solely to the benefit or consequence of his development) and will be required to pay supervision fees.
Section 104 relates to the construction of new sewers by a developer, to be offered for adoption be the Water Authority as public sewers. The agreement secures a bond for the cost of the works, to enable completion of the works by the authority upon default by the developer, usually for reasons of insolvency but occasionally in instances where the developer has failed to complete the works within a specified or 'reasonable' period of time. The agreement also identifies fees payable for supervision by the adopting authority. Upon completion of the works the developer must seek the agreement of the authority to place the new sewers 'on maintenance'. This is a period of 12 months at the end of which any defects are to be remedied prior to formal 'hand-over' to the authority as public sewers.
