The first thing to do with the water mains was to insert it into its protective sleeve or “Gaine”. The 32mm was pretty tight but finally got it in. Not looking forward to the cables which are much heavier to deal with.

Once the trench is dug (and stones and roots removed) I have lined it with sand to blind the earth below from the tubes. Then the tubes can be laid (checking the drawing all the time) before then being buried in sand for further protection. The sand is then covered with a plastic, colour coded, warning tape before eventually being filled in (only once I have confirmed everything is in the trench that needs to be).

As there is a surplus of stone, I am laying some of it back on top of the protective tape to give a second warning layer in case anything needs to be dug up in the future.

As part of the trench digging I am having to remove existing plants that are in the wrong place. Wherever possible I am replanting them although there is no guarantee they will take and grow again. We will have to wait a year to see if this Lilac will recover after its move.