ULTIMA Connect pits from Cubis Systems were installed on a taxiway at the Manchester Airport to enable the relocation of an electrical substation during a redevelopment project.

The Manchester Airport Transformation Programme (MAN – TP) is a £1bn project set to transform the UK’s third largest airport. It will see Terminal 2 more than double in size while work will be carried out to maximise the potential of Manchester’s existing two runways and taxiways will be remodelled to accommodate the world’s largest aircraft.

The existing taxiway had to be modified to enable smoother aircraft flow and to allow for larger aircraft. This required a major relocation of an electrical substation. Since it was located in the middle of a taxiway, aircraft could only move one at a time, creating a bottleneck.

ULTIMA Connect pits reduce runway possession time

Moving a substation on a live airfield generated countless issues – more specifically, airfield possession time and construction time. Cubis ULTIMA Connect pits were specified because of their strength and ability to save significant time during construction. In total, twelve pits measuring 3000mm x 3000mm, 2000mm x 2000mm and 1000mm x 1000mm, all at a depth of three metres and supplied with F900 covers, were specified and installed.

The modular access pits were delivered flat pack to the taxiway and assembled and installed by the UK Power Network Services team during the night, significantly reducing runway possession time.