Embedding a Multidisciplinary Delivery Team on TKRE
The Tilbury to Kingsnorth Reinforcement (TKRE) project is a major investment in the UK’s electricity transmission network, involving complex tunnelling works, cable installation and integration with existing infrastructure. Lockrose deployed an integrated team of project controls, construction assurance and quality professionals directly within the National Grid project organisation. Working as one team with a shared objective, our specialists coordinated programme oversight, construction assurance and quality management, providing the visibility and control needed to support delivery across a challenging infrastructure environment.
| 6 embedded specialists | One integrated team supporting delivery |
|---|---|
| Major transmission project | Strengthening network capacity and resilience |
| Complex tunnelling works | Specialist engineering oversight throughout construction |
| Programme controls and assurance | Combining planning, construction, and quality management |
| Multi-contractor environment | Coordinating delivery across multiple interfaces |
| Client-side integration | Supporting informed decision-making and project confidence |
The challenge
The project combined complex tunnelling works, cable installation and multiple contractor interfaces within a live transmission network environment.
To maintain delivery momentum, the client required more than individual resources. They needed an integrated team capable of providing programme controls, construction assurance, quality oversight and coordinated support across the project.
Maintaining visibility of project performance, managing contractor interfaces and ensuring consistent quality standards were critical to successful delivery. The client required clear reporting, proactive risk management and independent assurance to support effective decision-making throughout construction.
Key considerations
Programme control
The scale and complexity of the project required robust planning and programme controls. Accurate forecasting, clear reporting and visibility of key dependencies were essential to maintaining confidence in delivery.
Construction assurance
Complex tunnelling and infrastructure works required ongoing oversight to monitor progress, verify compliance and identify emerging issues before they could affect programme performance.
Quality management
Maintaining consistent quality standards across multiple contractors and work packages required a structured approach to inspections, audits and compliance monitoring throughout delivery.
Interface coordination
Multiple contractors and stakeholders were working across interconnected activities. Effective coordination and communication were essential to maintaining alignment and avoiding delays.
Our approach
Lockrose deployed an integrated delivery team embedded within the client organisation, bringing together planning, construction assurance and quality management disciplines under a shared delivery objective.
One team, shared outcome
Rather than operating as separate functions, each role contributed to a coordinated approach that provided a single view of programme performance, construction progress, quality compliance and project risk. The team comprised:
- Senior Planning Manager
- Construction Manager
- Three Tunnel Inspectors
- Quality Manager
Strengthening programme controls
The Senior Planning Manager developed and maintained detailed delivery programmes, providing clear visibility of progress, critical dependencies and emerging risks. This improved confidence in programme forecasts, enabled proactive management of issues and supported informed decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.
Providing construction assurance
The Construction Manager and Tunnel Inspectors maintained a continuous presence across critical works, providing technical oversight and monitoring construction activities as they progressed. Their involvement strengthened oversight of site operations, supported safe and efficient delivery and enabled issues to be identified and addressed before impacting the programme.
Driving quality and compliance
The Quality Manager established robust quality assurance processes, including inspections, audits and compliance monitoring activities. Working closely with construction and planning teams, quality requirements were embedded throughout delivery, ensuring consistent standards and effective assurance across all activities.
Creating a single view of delivery
By combining planning, construction assurance and quality management within one integrated team, Lockrose established a comprehensive view of project performance, risks and opportunities. This improved coordination across contractors and stakeholders, accelerated issue resolution and strengthened control of critical delivery activities.
Categories
The result
Lockrose established an integrated planning, construction assurance and quality management function within the client’s project team, creating a single view of delivery across a major transmission infrastructure project.
By combining programme controls, construction assurance and quality oversight within one embedded team, the client gained greater visibility of progress, risks, dependencies and contractor performance. This enabled earlier identification of emerging issues, stronger coordination across project interfaces and improved control of critical delivery activities.
The integrated approach strengthened collaboration between National Grid, contractors and stakeholders while improving the quality and consistency of information available to support decision-making throughout construction.
As a result, the project benefited from enhanced oversight, improved assurance processes and greater confidence in delivery performance across a complex infrastructure environment.
One integrated team. One view of delivery. Greater confidence, stronger control and enhanced assurance across a major transmission infrastructure project.
What changed
- Enhanced programme integration across four principal contractors
- Improved visibility of critical interfaces and dependencies
- System access requirements identified and managed proactively within programme planning
- Stronger enterprise-wide collaboration and accountability
- More effective decision-making aligned to shared outcomes
- Successful delivery of key energisation milestones
- Continued progress towards programme completion