You will notice work taking place around the Eastern and the Southern Ring roads and the southern end of the North-South Road over the next eight weeks. These works start on Monday 3 April, and are the first visible works of our Network Replacement Programme (NRP). The works will help get our campus ready for internet infrastructure improvements.
The works will cover 17 targeted roadside locations and involve hand digging of small trenches to survey our existing network. We will aim to keep disruption to a minimum. There is no need for diversions for cars or buses, or even traffic lights, but traffic marshals will be operating ‘stop-go’ signs where needed. Noise disruption is expected to be minimal.
On the Eastern Ring Road, works will start at the top of Boiler House Hill and move along the Eastern Ring Road, finishing nearby Freeman building. Work on the Southern Ring Road / North-South Road will start at the same time, starting adjacent to John Maynard Smith building and concluding on the south side of the Freeman building.
About the Network Replacement Programme
Our Network Replacement Programme will deliver a modern, fast, reliable and secure wired and wireless network across our campus. By replacing all of our current network infrastructure, we will give everybody a much better and more consistent experience when they join onto our network.
We will also be reducing the carbon footprint of our network by removing old technology and bringing in a much smaller amount of new, improved technology. Our aim is to not only deliver a better performing, more efficient network, but a better student and employee experience too.
Before we can enjoy better connectivity and internet speeds, there is a lot of work that needs to take place. All our equipment needs to be replaced from the cables running underground to the wires throughout buildings and all the essential equipment that forms our network.
Initially, work will be external – around roads and pathways and outside of buildings across campus. As the project progresses, we will also need to come into buildings to install and check equipment. When we reach this stage, we will be in touch with teams so that everyone understands what is happening and when, and we will of course try to minimise disruption wherever possible.
Learn more
To learn more about the ITS improvements we have planned, check out this video update from Jason Oliver, our Chief Digital Transformation Officer.