GB2556120A

GB2556120A - Assembly for subsurface roadside infrastructure

Info

Publication number: GB2556120A
Application number: GB1619726.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hough Stephen; James Price Morton; Deighton Paul
Original assignee: Balfour Beatty PLC
Current assignee: Balfour Beatty PLC
Priority date: 2016-11-22
Filing date: 2016-11-22
Publication date: 2018-05-23
Also published as: GB201619726D0

Abstract

Assembly connecting roadside cabinet to underground cabling including prefabricated framework, plinth, chamber and cabling ducts Assembly 10 suitable for connecting a roadside electrical cabinet 12 to subsurface cabling which includes a framework 16 supporting a plinth 14 suitable for coupling to the cabinet and a chamber 18 defining an interior void 20. Cabling ducts 22 provide passage for cables from the exterior to the interior of the chamber and a service duct 24 provides passage for cables from the interior of the chamber to the plinth. The plinth may be vertically and laterally offset from the chamber and may include an aperture 26 to provide passage for cables

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Assembly for subsurface roadside infrastructure

Abstract Title: Assembly connecting roadside cabinet to underground cabling including prefabricated framework, plinth, chamber and cabling ducts (57) Assembly connecting roadside cabinet to underground cabling including prefabricated framework, plinth, chamber and cabling ducts Assembly 10 suitable for connecting a roadside electrical cabinet 12 to subsurface cabling which includes a framework 16 supporting a plinth 14 suitable for coupling to the cabinet and a chamber 18 defining an interior void 20. Cabling ducts 22 provide passage for cables from the exterior to the interior of the chamber and a service duct 24 provides passage for cables from the interior of the chamber to the plinth. The plinth may be vertically and laterally offset from the chamber and may include an aperture 26 to provide passage for cables

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ASSEMBLY FOR SUBSURFACE ROADSIDE INFRASTRUCTURE

Field of Invention

This invention relates to roadside infrastructure, and more particularly to an assembly for subsurface roadside infrastructure.

Background to the Invention

Nowadays, it is common for roads and/or highways to be provided with highways/roadside equipment for monitoring traffic, communicating information, and/or managing traffic flow, and the like. Such equipment may include, for example, telecommunication, broadcast, power and data equipment that employs subsurface roadside cabling or infrastructure for transmitting/receiving signals and/or power.

To protect easily damaged telecommunication, broadcast, power and data equipment from hostile external conditions, cabinets enclosures are employed to house the equipment at the roadside. Such cabinets are typical positioned on or above a roadside ground surface (e.g. to enable easy access to the housed equipment) and supported on a plinth positioned in the ground (e.g. just below the ground surface). The equipment housed in the cabinet is then typically connected (through the plinth) to cables situated below the roadside ground surface.

Such roadside infrastructure (e.g. including roadside cabinets, telecommunication, broadcast, power and data equipment, plinth, subsurface cabling, etc.) is normally required to adhere to specific requirements or standards (that may be defined by a government agency for example). These requirements or standards may, for example, relate to the (absolute and/or relative) positioning of the equipment, thus requiring the equipment to be installed and connected in a specific and/or accurate manner. However, due to typical roadside and/or external environmental conditions, installing and connecting roadside infrastructure with high precision and/or accuracy can be very difficult. By way of example, where a stretch of highway had approximately sixty roadside cabinets installed and connected to subsurface highways roadside cabling, around forty-five (i.e. approximately 75%) of the installations failed to adhere to agency standards and thus required rectification.

Installing and connecting roadside cabinets to subsurface roadside cabling so as to meet specific requirements or standards therefore currently poses significant difficulties.

Summary of the invention

Proposed embodiments seek to provide an assembly (e.g. apparatus that may be constructed off-site) which may be made to adhere to specific spacing, sizing and/or alignment requirements and subsequently delivered to a roadside location for installation below a ground surface. This may help to speed up delivery of projects while improving safety and quality by reducing on-site (e.g. roadside) working.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an assembly for connecting a roadside cabinet to subsurface roadside cabling, wherein the assembly comprises: a framework; a chamber supported by the framework and defining an interior void of the chamber; a plinth supported by the framework and adapted to be coupled to a roadside cabinet; a plurality of cabling ducts adapted to provide for passage of cabling from the exterior of the chamber to the interior void of the chamber; and a service duct adapted to provide for passage of cabling from the interior void of the chamber to the plinth.

Proposed is a concept of providing a framework for supporting a chamber, plinth and ducts in specific and accurately aligned relative positions. Assembly of the chamber, plinth and ducts in/on the framework may thus be undertaken off-site (e.g. in a manufacturing facility or controlled environment), rather than at a roadside location. In this way, improved accuracy in the relative alignment of the chamber, plinth and ducts can be achieved in order to adhere to predetermined specifications or standards. Further, the relative alignment and/or spacing of the chamber, plinth and ducts with respect to the boundary or edges of the framework can be achieved so as to adhere to boundary spacing requirements. For instance, the framework may support the chamber so as to provide a predetermined spacing/distance between an edge of the chamber and an outer edge (i.e. boundary) of the framework. Relative alignment and spacing of the framework, chamber, plinth and ducts may be achieved in three-dimensions (e.g. in the X, Y and X axes). Thus, in addition to ensuring specific lateral alignment and/or spacing, proposed embodiments may ensure specific vertical alignment and/or spacing. For example, the framework may be adapted to support the chamber so that the top of the chamber and the top of the framework align (i.e. at the same attitude).

Thus, there is described a concept of taking components for connecting a roadside cabinet to subsurface roadside cabling and aligning them accurately in/on a framework away from an intended installation site. Such offsite preparation/prefabrication not only enables the components to be aligned and spaced accurately according to a predetermined specification but also removes a need for ‘false/temporary works’ at a roadside installation location.

Proposed concepts may avoid the need to separately install and align equipment (such as a chamber, plinth, ducts, etc.) for connecting a roadside cabinet to subsurface roadside cabling on-site (e.g. at a roadside installation location). Instead, prefabricated assemblies of such equipment may be made off-site in more favourable/acceptable conditions and then delivered to a roadside installation location for simple and straightforward placement into a roadside trench/dugout.

By way of example, the framework may be adapted to support a chamber, plinth and ducts in a specific relative arrangement (e.g. according to a specification or standard). The framework may, for instance, comprise locating means adapted to receive such roadside equipment so that the equipment is automatically positioned in certain locations when received and supported by the framework. In this way, accurate alignment of the roadside equipment can be quickly and simply achieved. Further, accurate spacing of the equipment from a boundary (i.e. outside edge) of the framework can be achieved, thus ensuring the equipment is correctly spaced from a roadside according to predetermined requirements.

In some embodiments, the plinth may be vertically and laterally offset from the chamber according a predetermined relationship. For instance, the relative alignment of the plinth and chamber may be adapted to adhere to a strict specification. Also, lateral separation of the plinth and chamber may enable the chamber to be made accessible from above, thus catering for the provision of an access point directly above the chamber after installation.

The plurality of cabling ducts may comprise a first array of ducts arranged in a predetermined pattern. Further, the plurality of cabling ducts may comprise a second array of ducts arranged in a predetermined pattern.

Such arrays of ducts may cater for multiple cables to be provided to the interior void of the chamber, wherein different cables are provided through different ducts. This may provide the advantage of maintaining a specific relative arrangement of subsurface cables within the void of the chamber, thereby facilitating the provision of tidy and organised cabling.

In some embodiments, the first and second arrays of ducts may be coupled to differing sides of the chamber. Such embodiments may therefore provide inlet and outlet arrangements which enable subsurface cables to be passed into one side of the chamber void and out of another side of the chamber. Subsurface cables may therefore be passed though the void of the chamber in a simple and straightforward fashion.

The plinth may comprise an aperture coupled to the service duct, wherein the aperture may be adapted to provide for passage of cabling from the service duct to an interior space of a roadside cabinet. This may provide the advantage that cabling can be provided from the chamber to a cabinet through the plinth. In this way, cabling may be provided up into the inside space of a cabinet from below a ground surface (e.g. through the service duct) without the cabling being exposed and/or unprotected.

Proposed embodiments may be adapted such that at least one of the chamber and the plinth is spaced apart from an outer boundary of the framework by a predetermined distance. In this way, accurate spacing of the equipment from a boundary (i.e. outside edge) of the framework may be achieved prior to installation of the assembly at a roadside location. This may help to ensuring that the equipment is correctly spaced from a roadside according to predetermined requirements.

According to another aspect of the invention, there may be provided a method for connecting a roadside cabinet to subsurface roadside cabling, the method comprising: providing a void in a roadside section of ground material, the void being sized to receive an assembly according to a proposed embodiment; positioning an assembly according to a proposed embodiment in the void; passing roadside cabling from the exterior of the chamber to the interior void of the chamber through at least one of the plurality of ducts; passing cabling from the interior void of the chamber to the plinth through the service duct.

A proposed prefabricated assembly may thus be made offsite (e.g. in safe and controlled manufacturing environment) to exacting specifications and then delivered to a roadside installation site, wherein it may then be simply positioned into a void (e.g. trench, dugout, channel or the like) in the ground. Subsurface cabling may then be provided to the interior of the chamber thought the ducts. Also, cabling may be passed from the chamber to the plinth through the service duct, for provisioning to a cabinet subsequently installed on the plinth.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there may be provided a method for connecting a roadside cabinet to subsurface roadside cabling, wherein the method comprises: providing a framework; arranging a chamber to be supported by the framework, the chamber defining an interior void of the chamber; arranging a plinth to supported by the framework, the plinth being adapted to be coupled to a roadside cabinet; arranging a plurality of cabling ducts to provide for passage of cabling from the exterior of the chamber to the interior void of the chamber; and arranging a service duct to communicatively couple the interior void of the chamber to the plinth.

In an embodiment, the plinth may be arranged to be vertically and laterally offset from the chamber according a predetermined relationship.

The plurality of cabling ducts may comprise a first array of ducts arranged in a predetermined pattern. Also, the plurality of cabling ducts may comprise a second array of ducts arranged in a predetermined pattern.

Embodiments may further comprise a step of coupling the first and second arrays of ducts to differing sides of the chamber.

The plinth may comprise an aperture, and the method may further comprise coupling the aperture to the service duct so that the aperture is arranged to provide for passage of cabling from the service duct to an interior space of a roadside cabinet.

Thus, there may be proposed a services-alignment and foundation node that provides for simple and accurate alignment of roadside equipment on a framework that may be subsequently installed at a roadside location (e.g. below a ground surface). The equipment may be aligned on the framework according to strict specifications/requirements, and this may be done off-site (e.g. in a covered manufacturing facility) prior to delivery to a roadside installation location. The prefabricated assembly may thus be considered to be a foundation node for roadside infrastructure, enabling connection of roadside subsurface services/cabling according to strict requirements. In other words, a proposed embodiment may be employed to set out point-to-point connections between services/cabling and therefore be thought of a node for a network of service/cabling.

Further developments of the invention are the subject-matter of the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

An example of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying diagrams, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic isometric illustration of an assembly according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic isometric illustration of an assembly according to another embodiment;

FIG. 3 depicts a modification to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 depicts a modification to the embodiment of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 4 positioned in a roadside section of ground material with service/cabling trenches adjoining the assembly.

Detailed description

It should be understood that the Figures are merely schematic and are not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used throughout the Figures to indicate the same or similar parts.

Concepts are proposed for providing roadside equipment/furniture in a specific arrangement that adheres to predetermined requirements. The equipment may be provided on a supporting framework that can be delivered to a roadside location for installation into the ground and connection to subsurface service/cabling. Embodiments may therefore enable the provision of a chamber, plinth and ducts in accurately aligned relative positions and spacing on a support framework that can be installed on-site whilst maintaining the relative positions.

Assembly of the chamber, plinth and ducts in/on the framework may therefore be completed in a controlled environment away from a roadside location. This may enable improved accuracy in the relative alignment and spacing between the framework edges, chamber, plinth and ducts to be achieved. Further, it may move reduce the amount of work that needs to be undertaken at a roadside location.

For instance, components for connecting a roadside cabinet to subsurface roadside cabling may be aligned accurately in/on a framework away from a roadside. This may avoid the need to separately install and align components (such as a chamber, plinth, ducts, etc.) for connecting a roadside cabinet to subsurface roadside cabling at a roadside installation location, thereby reducing the amount of roadside work and improving safety.

Embodiments may therefore reduce roadside works, improve installation accuracy and/or help to improve safety.

Illustrative embodiments may therefore provide concepts for prefabricating assemblies of roadside equipment at an off-site location which can later be delivered to a roadside location for simple and quick installation.

Modifications and additional steps to a traditional roadside equipment and/or infrastructures may also be proposed which may enhance the value and utility of the proposed concepts.

Illustrative embodiments may be utilized in conjunction with many different types of roads and/or highways, wherein roadside equipment and/or infrastructure is employed for monitoring traffic, communicating information, and/or managing traffic flow, and wherein subsurface roadside cabling is employed for transmitting/receiving signals and/or power.

In order to provide a context for the description of elements and functionality of the illustrative embodiments, the Figures are provided hereafter as an example environment in which aspects of the illustrative embodiments may be implemented. It should be appreciated that the Figures are only exemplary and not intended to assert or imply any limitation with regard to the environments in which aspects or embodiments of the present invention may be implemented.

Referring now to Figure 1, there is depicted an assembly 10 according to an exemplary embodiment. A roadside cabinet 12 is depicted above the assembly 10 to illustrate how the assembly 10 is designed to be positioned, in use, below the roadside cabinet 12 (for example, in the ground at a roadside) so that the roadside cabinet 12 may then be received and supported on top of a plinth 14 of the assembly 10.

The assembly 10 is thus for installation in the ground of a roadside location wherein it may then be used for connecting a roadside cabinet 12 to subsurface roadside cabling.

The assembly 10 comprises a framework 16 formed of a rigid material, such as wood, metal or plastic.

Supported by the framework 16 is a rigid chamber 18 which defines an interior void 20 inside the chamber 18. Here, the chamber 18 is essentially an open-topped box, case or container which provides an internal space for housing cabling, cabling connections and/or electrical equipment and the like. Preferably, the chamber 18 is formed of non-biodegradable material which does not degrade when buried in ground material and is adapted to prevent the passage of water and/or moisture from the exterior of the chamber 18 to the interior void 20 of the chamber 18 (so as to provide protection for housed equipment from the elements when it is installed/buried in roadside ground material).

Also supported by the framework 16 is a plinth 14 which is adapted to be coupled to the underside of a roadside cabinet 12. By way of example, the plinth 14 comprises a conventional/standard “plinth and skirt 610 set” that is widely available and adapted to receive a standard “T600 Cabinet” or “T609 Cabinet”.

In this embodiment, the plinth 14 is vertically and laterally offset from the chamber according a predetermined relationship. For instance, the relative alignment of the plinth 14 and chamber 18 is adapted to adhere to a predetermined specification. It is also noted that the lateral separation of the plinth 14 and chamber 18 may enable the chamber 18 to be accessible from above when the assembly is installed in ground material (e.g. through the provision of an access point directly above the chamber 18 after installation).

The assembly 10 also includes cabling ducts 22 which are adapted to provide for passage of cabling from the exterior of the chamber 18 to the interior void 20 of the chamber 18. The cabling ducts 22 are formed from corrugated tubes of non-biodegradable material adapted to not degrade when buried in ground material and are adapted to prevent the passage of water and/or moisture into the ducts 22 (so as to provide protection for housed cabling from the elements when installed/buried in roadside ground material).

Here, the plurality of cabling ducts 22 comprises a first array 22A of ducts 22 arranged in a regular 2x2 pattern (i.e. two rows of ducts, each row comprising two ducts). Further, the plurality of cabling ducts also comprises a second array 22B of ducts 22 arranged in a regular 2x2 pattern.

The first 22A and second 22B arrays of ducts cater for multiple cables to be provided to the interior void 20 of the chamber 18, wherein different cables may be provided through different ducts. This may enable specific relative arrangement of subsurface cables to be provided to the void 20 of the chamber 18, thereby facilitating the provision of tidy and organised cabling within the chamber 18.

In particular, the first 22A and second 22B arrays of ducts 22 of this embodiment are coupled to opposite sides of the chamber 18. The first array 22A of ducts 22 may therefore be thought of as an inlet arrangement which enables subsurface cables to be passed into the void 20 through one side of the chamber 18, and the second array 22B of ducts may be thought of as an outlet arrangement which enables subsurface cables to be passed out of the void 20 through another, different side of the chamber 18. Subsurface cables may therefore be passed though the void 20 of the chamber 18 in a simple and straightforward fashion.

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The assembly 10 also comprises first 24A and second 24B service ducts adapted to communicatively couple the interior void 20 of the chamber 18 to an aperture 26 of the plinth 14. Here, the first 24A and second 24B service ducts are arranged in a regular 1x2 pattern (i.e. one row comprising two ducts. Also, as with the cabling ducts 22, the service ducts 24A, 24B are formed from corrugated tubes of non-biodegradable material adapted to not degrade when buried in ground material and are adapted to prevent the passage of water and/or moisture into the service ducts 24A, 24B (so as to provide protection for housed cabling from the elements when installed/buried in roadside ground material).

In particular, the aperture 26 of the plinth is coupled to the service ducts 24A, 24B so that the aperture 26 is adapted to provide a conduit through the plinth which enables passage of cabling from the service ducts 24A, 24B to an interior space of a roadside cabinet positioned above the plinth 14. This may provide the advantage that cabling can be provided from the chamber 18 to a cabinet 12 through the plinth 14 (via the service ducts 24A, 24B). In this way, cabling may be provided up into the inside space of a cabinet 12 from below a ground surface (e.g. through the service ducts 24A, 24B) without the cabling being exposed and/or unprotected.

It is noted that two of the corners of the assembly 10 in Figure 1 are provided with a grout tube 28 to help alignment and levelling during installation of the assembly 10.

The framework 16 of Figure 1 is adapted to support the chamber 18, plinth 14 and ducts 22,24A,24B in a specific arrangement (e.g. according to a specification or standard). The framework may, for instance, comprise locating means (such as bolt holes, support platforms, etc.) adapted to receive the chamber 18, plinth 14 and ducts 22,24A,24B so that they must necessarily be positioned in specific locations when received and supported by the framework 16. In this way, accurate alignment of the chamber 18, plinth 14 and ducts 22,24A,24B can be quickly and simply achieved. Also, accurate spacing of the chamber 18, plinth 14 and ducts 22,24A,24B from the edges/boundary of the framework can be quickly and simply achieved.

It will thus be appreciated that the assembly 10 may be manufactured off-site (e.g. prefabricated in a safe and controlled manufacturing environment) to exacting specifications and then delivered to a roadside installation site, wherein it may then be simply positioned into a void (e.g. trench, dugout, channel or the like) in the ground.

Subsurface cabling/services may then be provided to the interior void 20 of the chamber 18 thought the ducts 22. Also, cabling may be passed from the chamber 18 to the plinth 14 through the service ducts, for provisioning to a cabinet subsequently installed on top of the plinth 14.

Although the embodiment of Figure 1 has been detailed as providing a specific relative arrangement and spacing of roadside equipment, it will be understood that other embodiments are envisaged wherein different arrangements of roadside equipment are provided. By way of example, Figure 2 depicts another embodiment of an assembly which comprises first and second plinths supported on framework.

In slightly more detail, the embodiment of Figure 2 is similar to that of Figure 1 except that the embodiment is a ‘double’ version comprising two plinths 30 and 32 laterally offset from the chamber 18. The plinths 30 and 32 are spaced apart from each other according to predetermined requirements and thus provide for the coupling of first and second cabinets to the first and second plinths 30, 32, respectively. A first set of service ducts 34 is adapted to communicatively couple the interior void 20 of the chamber 18 to an aperture 36 of the first plinth 30. Here, first set of service ducts 34 is arranged in a regular 2x1 pattern (i.e. one column comprising two ducts). A second set of service ducts 38 is adapted to communicatively couple the interior void 20 of the chamber 18 to an aperture 40 of the second plinth 32. Here, second set of service ducts 38 is arranged in a regular 2x1 pattern (i.e. one column comprising two ducts).

The embodiment of Figure 2 may therefore provide for the full alignment of foundation distances and positions of services/equipment according to all predetermined edge spacing conditions (as defined by an agency standard for example).

By way of further example, Figure 3 depicts another embodiment of an assembly which essentially represents a modification to the embodiment of Figure 1. In slightly more detail, the embodiment of Figure 3 is similar to that of Figure 1 except that the embodiment is a ‘in-line’ version wherein the relative arrangement of the plinth 14 and chamber 18 has been modified so as to reduce a dimension of the assembly (in the Y-axis). Such an in-line version may be more suited for certain installation conditions/constraints and/or provide for improved on-site works.

Figure 4 depicts yet another embodiment (which represents a modification to the embodiment of Figure 3). The embodiment of Figure 4 is similar to that of Figure 3 except that it further comprises mesh 45 at the ends of the assembly to retain concrete within the volume of assembly (and to not fill the a (conjoining) trench when being installed). Also, around the top perimeter of the of the framework 16, there is provided a timber shuttering 50 that is adapted to vertically align a chamber manhole cover 55 and the plinth

14. This enables control of the boundary dimensional positions with reference to road topping levels.

Accordingly, there may be provided an installation concept for connecting a roadside cabinet to subsurface roadside cabling. Such a concept may include, for example, providing a void in a roadside section of ground material, the void being sized to receive an assembly according to a proposed embodiment, and then positioning an assembly according to a proposed embodiment (such as that depicted in Figure 1) within the void (as depicted in Figure 5). Roadside cabling/services can then be passed from the exterior of the chamber (e.g. from a trench 60 adjoining the assembly) to the interior void of the chamber 18 through at least one of the plurality of ducts 22, and cabling/services can also be passed from the interior void of the chamber to the plinth through the service duct(s) 24A, 24B. The internal volume of the assembly may then be filled in (e.g. with concrete) so as to fill in the gaps/spaces in the framework between the chamber, plinth and ducts. The framework may therefore be sacrificial in that, once installed, it may no longer be required to support the chamber, plinth and ducts in their relative positions. The framework may therefore be of a minimal weight and/or strength required to simply support the chamber, plinth and ducts in position for transfer/transportation to an installation location. This may help to reduce the cost of the assembly.

Embodiments may provide concepts for simple and accurate alignment of roadside equipment on a framework that may be subsequently installed at a roadside location (e.g. below a ground surface). The equipment may be support and aligned on the framework according to strict specifications/requirements, and this may be done off-site (e.g. in a covered manufacturing facility) prior to delivery to a roadside installation location. The framework may therefore be adapted to control all positional tolerances of all services/cabling to a roadside foundation.

Embodiments may therefore be employed to control all alignments of roadside services so as to have the correct/required properties, such as services bend radius, relative separations, positions, etc. and may fix the alignments so that they are not altered during transportation and installation.

Proposed embodiments may therefore reduce or remove site work by enabling prefabrication or manufacture to be undertaken off-site. This may help to make the on-site installation process quick, simple and cheap whilst providing quality assurance.

Embodiments may also provide for volumetric design to control foundation edge conditions. This may be done as ‘false works’ since the framework may be sacrificial once the foundation is filled with a support medium such as concrete.

While specific embodiments have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications will be apparent to a person skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An assembly for connecting a roadside cabinet to subsurface roadside cabling, wherein the assembly comprises:

a framework;

a chamber supported by the framework and defining an interior void of the chamber;

a plinth supported by the framework and adapted to be coupled to a roadside cabinet;

a plurality of cabling ducts adapted to provide for passage of cabling from the exterior of the chamber to the interior void of the chamber; and a service duct adapted to provide for passage of cabling from the interior void of the chamber to the plinth.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the plinth is vertically and laterally offset from the chamber according a predetermined relationship.

3. The assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of cabling ducts comprises a first array of ducts arranged in a predetermined pattern.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the plurality of cabling ducts comprises a second array of ducts arranged in a predetermined pattern.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the first and second arrays of ducts are coupled to differing sides of the chamber.

6. The assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the plinth comprises an aperture coupled to the service duct, the aperture being adapted to provide for passage of cabling from the service duct to an interior space of a roadside cabinet.

7. The assembly of any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the chamber and the plinth is spaced apart from an outer boundary of the framework by a predetermined distance.

8. A method for connecting a roadside cabinet to subsurface roadside cabling, the method comprising:

providing a void in a roadside section of ground material, the void being sized to receive an assembly according to any preceding claim;

positioning an assembly according to any preceding claim in the void; passing roadside cabling from the exterior of the chamber to the interior void of the chamber through at least one of the plurality of ducts; and passing cabling from the interior void of the chamber to the plinth through the service duct.

9. A method for connecting a roadside cabinet to subsurface roadside cabling, wherein the method comprises:

providing a framework;

arranging a chamber to be supported by the framework, the chamber defining an interior void of the chamber;

arranging a plinth to supported by the framework, the plinth being adapted to be coupled to a roadside cabinet;

arranging a plurality of cabling ducts to provide for passage of cabling from the exterior of the chamber to the interior void of the chamber; and arranging a service duct to provide for passage of cabling from the interior void of the chamber to the plinth.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the plinth is arranged to be vertically and laterally offset from the chamber according a predetermined relationship.

11. The method of claim 9 or 10, wherein the plurality of cabling ducts comprises a first array of ducts arranged in a predetermined pattern.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of cabling ducts comprises a second array of ducts arranged in a predetermined pattern.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising coupling the first and second arrays of ducts to differing sides of the chamber.

14. The method of any of claims 9 to 13, wherein the plinth comprises an aperture, and wherein the method further comprises coupling the aperture to the service duct so that the aperture is arranged to provide for passage of

5 cabling from the service duct to an interior space of a roadside cabinet.

15. An assembly for connecting a roadside cabinet to subsurface roadside cabling substantially as herein described above with reference to the accompanying figures.

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Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1619726.1