The Dig Once approach
Overview
The Streets Service is fostering systematic, proactive planning of collaborative works by establishing a robust identification, short-listing and project-management process. Overall, this approach is delivering collaborative works and associated benefits at a scale rarely seen in London previously.
The ‘Dig-Once’ approach builds upon the regular statutory coordination undertaken by London’s highways authorities under the New Roads and Streetworks Act. Utilising long term - often speculative - investment data shared by utility companies within the Infrastructure Mapping Application (IMA), the Streets Service are able to bring together more collaboration opportunities, assist more complex ways of working and support delivery of more impactful projects.
Whilst traditional coordination usually only involves the alignment of already planned works, the forward look provided by the IMA allows the Streets team to engage collaborating parties at an early stage, successfully influencing both when and how projects are delivered. By shifting our focus to a long-term view, we are able to capture more collaboration potential and reduce missed opportunities, whilst also maximising benefits for Londoners.
The Benefits of the Dig Once Approach
The dig once approach has many benefits for Londoners, its businesses, and the capital as a whole:
• Reduced road network congestion and fewer days of disruption
• Improved wellbeing of local residents
• Fewer business losses
• Lower emissions and air pollution
• Increased resilience for London's infrastructure
• Cost savings to works promoters
How the Streets Service Works
The Streets team utilise shared data from partners and comprehensive analysis to identify opportunities for London’s works promoters to collaborate.
We use our convening power to bring together utilities, highway authorities, telecoms companies and other stakeholders to design, deliver and evaluate a wide range of streetworks projects.
The 4-stage process of delivering collaborative streetworks:
Using future investment data from utilities and local authorities to spatially map proposed works in the Infrastructure Mapping Application (IMA) and identify overlaps and collaboration opportunities.
Convening stakeholders to discuss the identified opportunities, understanding if it is possible to collaborate through design and delivery of works.
Programme managing the schemes together with the works promoters, ensuring that schemes are designed as collaboratively as possible and are brought to site successfully.
Overseeing the delivery of the streetworks as a neutral convenor, to ensure that any risks to collaborative delivery are mitigated and emerging opportunities are integrated
By adding value at each stage and evaluating outcomes, we are building a strong business case for the adoption of collaborative practice across the industry. To find out more visit our resources and toolkits page.
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