Digging up pavement for electrical line to garage

Mullet

I want to supply my garage with power but I have a public bath about 1.5m in widh between my garden and garage the path isn't used an awful lot but I would need to dig up a small channel in the pavement it would be getting re-laid and tar strips when done is this something I should inform my council about and if so what sort of department should I contact?
Cheers Graham

Ozzuk

I assume you mean path, rather than a public baths! I also assume you don't mean a RoW and actually have a full public footpath between your property and your garage, which isn't on your deeds.

If that is the case, you'll likely need an easement for any services you wish to take over, and I doubt the council will let you do it yourself, even if they do grant the easement. They will decide if you can have it under the path, or on wire above the path. You could risk just doing it, but should the path ever need remedial work, or someone digs in an hurts themselves you'd be in more than a spot of bother.

I'd certainly talk to the council as what sounds like a simple idea could be very complicated - just creating an easement costs around £800 just for your solicitor, assuming they even give you the easement for free...

Just to add, you also can't just 'cut a channel', whatever you do (assuming you get permission) will need to comply with the appropriate electrical regulations. I'm not an electrician so could be totally wrong but it was something like 0.5 meters below ground, taped, reinforced cable and in some kind of channel - or supported by wire above the path, several meters of clearance at least. Don't take my word for that though!

*j*

If the path is 1.5m wide and is immediately outside your land, then why not lay the cable under the path, so no-one else knows it's there.

Dig a trench at right angles to the path, a bit more than 1.5m long, a spade's width wide and 0.5m deep then hammer a 1.5m metal tube under the path.

Dig a hole the other side of the path to locate the end of the pipe and you have created a route under the path.

You may need to hammer a metal rod through the tube to clear out any soil, but then you can feed your cable through it.

Fill in your dug holes and it's all invisible.

Metal tube: 20mm conduit at £6.95 plus vat for a 3m length from tlc-direct or similar...

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Conduit_Steel_Index/20mm_BE_Conduit_and_Fittings/index.html

Risteard

*j* wrote: »

Metal tube: 20mm conduit at £6.95 plus vat for a 3m length from tlc-direct or similar...

Aside from the fact that it wouldn't be a sensible way of doing the job, could be liable to rust, wouldn't be suitable for DIY (steel conduit must be installed correctly and earthed as an exposed conductive part) and comes as standard in 3.75m lengths rather than 3m (although the latter are available in some places)...

The OP would be better getting an Electrician in and certainly not attempting to install as per your instructions!

*j*

Thanks for the comment Risteard. That's the kind of thing an electrician would say.

3m is the length of conduit tlc supply. You can buy 3.75m if you want. Galvanised is also available and it isn't impossible to earth it as an exposed conductive part should you wish.

You could alternatively remove the metal conduit and replace it with plastic pipe if you so desire.

Mullet

I thought I had proof read that as well yes I did mean a path I'll need to phone the council see what they say

I know about the regulation for it being 2ft under the ground and I am also aware it would need to be swa cable I have done a bit of research and
Unfortunately it's not as easy as putting the pipe under the path (I have tried) as my garage backs straight onto the path and it hits the foundation of the garage 2ft away from the actual wall of the garage aside of going further under the garage and cutting through the garage floor and the foundation. I have been thinking of all methods I could to get the powee to the garage without having an over head line

*j*

Is a moling machine any help?

This one installed 100 meters, but unfortunately it's in Washington (state) USA.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lG1njixQ-cg

Ectophile

Do you know who actually owns the path? If it's a public footpath, then somebody has to own the land. It doesn't have to be the council, and could be you. If you do own the path, then there's nothing to stop you digging a quick trench across, then filling it in again, provided you don't stop anyone walking up and down the path.

Mullet

I looked at the molin machine I would still have the same problem with the foundations

I'm not sure who owns the path
How would I go about finding out this information?

brightontraveller

You’ll need to spend some money and find out who owns path? Until you know whom owns it digging under it is the most moronic suggestion you’d have absolutely no way to mitigate the risk? Electrocution of others is probably the least of your worries in terms of cost ? e.g a utility company starts moling under the land hits your cable there charge to you would be tens if not hundreds of thousands for lost revenue, damages etc not to mention land owners charges.

Land registry , solicitor local authority should be able to tell you whom owns it then from there its relatively easy if consent is granted. Certainly not what people want too hear but reality checks and real world liabilities should override dreams...

If its temporary you can attempt to migrate the risk use surface trailing cable, having correct insurances, using correct cable protection i.e fuse , type of cable, Rubber Cable Protectors warning signs this has been used for charging electric cars but as far as I’m aware not tried out in court.

Otherwise buy a generator:rotfl:

Risteard

Don't forget *j* believes that any amateur can install steel conduit!

brightontraveller wrote: »

You’ll need to spend some money and find out who owns path? Until you know whom owns it digging under it is the most moronic suggestion you’d have absolutely no way to mitigate the risk? Electrocution of others is probably the least of your worries in terms of cost ? e.g a utility company starts moling under the land hits your cable there charge to you would be tens if not hundreds of thousands for lost revenue, damages etc not to mention land owners charges.

Land registry , solicitor local authority should be able to tell you whom owns it then from there its relatively easy if consent is granted. Certainly not what people want too hear but reality checks and real world liabilities should override dreams...

If its temporary you can attempt to migrate the risk use surface trailing cable, having correct insurances, using correct cable protection i.e fuse , type of cable, Rubber Cable Protectors warning signs this has been used for charging electric cars but as far as I’m aware not tried out in court.

Otherwise buy a generator:rotfl: