Enabling & Other Works
Enabling Works & Temporary Access Solutions
Comprehensive enabling works are fundamental to the safe and efficient delivery of construction and geotechnical projects. Establishing effective access, stable working platforms, and safe site conditions at an early stage sets the foundation for successful outcomes further down the programme.
From initial site clearance and temporary access provision through to ground preparation and temporary structural support, CAN delivers a complete enabling works service, creating safe, workable environments even in the most complex or constrained locations.
Operating across the UK and Ireland, our teams work collaboratively to prepare sites for construction, inspection, and stabilisation works. This integrated approach reduces risk, improves programme certainty, and ensures full compliance with regulatory and environmental requirements
Complete Enabling Works for Safe and Efficient Project Delivery
Every project begins with establishing a safe and accessible work environment.
CAN provides a comprehensive range of enabling works to support infrastructure, rail, highways, utilities, energy, coastal, and construction projects, including:
- Vegetation clearance and site preparation
- Debris and loose material removal
- Temporary access routes and safe working platforms
- Rope access installation and rigging
- Temporary stabilisation and restraint systems
- Slope and cutting preparation
Our teams regularly operate across steep slopes, cuttings, embankments, rail corridors, watercourses, and restricted‑access sites, delivering practical solutions where conventional methods are not viable.
Earthworks & Ground Preparation
CAN delivers a broad range of earthworks and ground preparation activities as part of our enabling works scope. These works are undertaken with a clear focus on safety, buildability, and efficiency, ensuring the ground is properly prepared to support subsequent construction or stabilisation operations.
Our earthworks capabilities include but are not limited to:
- Bulk excavation and ground re‑profiling
- Formation of access tracks and working areas
- Preparation of platforms for plant and temporary works
- Localised ground improvement and recompaction
- Temporary drainage and surface water control
All earthworks are delivered by competent, experienced teams, using appropriate plant and methodologies suited to the ground conditions and site constraints. This ensures works are carried out efficiently, safely, and in a manner that minimises rework or downstream risk.
Specialist Support Services
In addition to core enabling works, CAN provides a suite of specialist services to support site preparation and geotechnical risk management, including:
- Rockfall protection installation
- Catch fences and debris barriers
- Drainage improvements and ditching
- Scaling, cleaning, and pre‑inspection preparation
- Monitoring equipment installation
- Temporary works and minor civils
- Asset inspection and reporting
Our integrated capability ensures preparatory works are executed to the highest safety standards, allowing follow‑on contractors and designers to operate with confidence.
Working Safely in Challenging Environments
Enabling works are often carried out in high‑risk environments such as steep slopes, cuttings, embankments, coastlines, and confined spaces. CAN’s teams bring decades of experience working safely in these conditions, supported by:
- IRATA‑qualified rope access technicians
- Highly experienced geotechnical supervisors
- Robust safety management and risk assessment processes
- Specialist equipment for remote, confined, or vertical access
Our methods prioritise safety while minimising disruption to the surrounding environment.
Why choose CAN for Enabling Works?
- Multidisciplinary teams delivering an integrated service
- Proven experience across rail, highways, utilities, construction, and energy sectors
- Rapid mobilisation for emergency or time‑critical works
- Flexible access solutions for difficult or hazardous sites
- Full compliance with industry standards and client safety systems
- Efficient, cost‑effective delivery that reduces programme risk and downtime
With CAN, you gain a trusted partner who understands the complexities of preparing challenging sites for safe, efficient, and successful project delivery. Whether supporting planned works or responding to urgent site requirements, our teams are ready to help.
Case Studies
ICON 2 – Sprinkler System
CAN Structures was contracted to install a supplementary sprinkler system to 19,600sqm of ceiling above an operational automated retrieval system…
Specialist clean-up crew gets bird’s-eye view of Lord’s Cricket Ground
Client: Lord’s Cricket Ground Location: London Duration: 1 Week Rope access specialists from CAN, an RSK company, have been…
Chesterfield College – Repointing
CAN Structures was instructed with the cleaning, by biocide application, and remedial repointing of 200sqm of brick parapet wall at Chesterfield…