We specialise in integrated solutions for road, rail, and air. From highways to civil engineering, our team delivers high- quality construction services that connect communities and drive progress.

Earthworks,
Drainage & Ducting

Earthworks is a critical phase of almost every construction project and encompasses the work to reshape and stabilise the land for infrastructure. This involves manipulating soil and rock to achieve the desired ground level and support for the project.

Our experience

Building strong foundations

With a rich legacy of Earthwork expertise, our experienced team of professionals specialise in shaping the terrain for your construction projects. From site excavation to land grading, we ensure that the ground beneath your project is stable, secure and ready for the next stages of infrastructure development.

Our earthworks
involve:

  • Cut and Fill Operations: Excavating to create a level base for construction, the soil is either repurposed in other areas of the site to help create any elevations and infill holes or ethically disposed of (commonly known as muckaway services).

By reusing excavated materials in cut and fill operations and end-of-life materials being reused in social value initiatives, we have diverted 99.6% of material from landfill during Q1 of 2025 from 433 tonnes of waste produced. This is all done through our waste and resource management company, Reconomy.

  • Excavation of Hard Materials (Stone, Concrete, Steel and Ceramics)
  • Slope Stabilisation: Ensuring that slopes and embankments are stable to prevent landslides or erosion, using retaining walls and other methods
  • Compaction: Compressing soil to improve its strength and stability
  • Backfilling: Replenishing materials into a trench or foundation following excavation.

Our earthworks expertise covers the installation of drainage and ducting systems. Drainage is an essential part of any construction project, it helps to avoid issues like flooding, soil erosion and structural damage. Underground ducting facilities and protects the distribution of all the utilities, such as electrical, gas, and water, to name a few.

The McCann team’s technical skills and experience allow them to efficiently install a wide range of drainage and ducting solutions covering:

  • Shallow Drainage to manage surface water.
  • Deep Drainage to handle underground water.
  • Soakaways and Attenuation tanks.
  • Sewer Connections.
  • Headwalls (PCC, Brick, Stone) for connecting pipework to open watercourses such as streams and ponds.
  • Gullies, Manholes, Chambers (Inspection, Flow Control, Vortex separator, PCC Catchpit).
  • Ductwork & Utilities Connections.

Work with McCann

A collaborative
approach

Our specialist team works with clients and subcontractors to ensure mutual respect and the best possible results on all projects, the team work to the principles of ISO 44001 in our commitment to collaborative working.

We take a holistic stance on all projects, considering staff and public safety, skilful timing and cost-effectiveness. With open communication, these updates are proactively shared through regular reports and meetings with all involved parties.

Recent Projects

Discover how McCann can help you

Providing safe refuges for over 120,000 daily southeast commuters across the M25 NEAR Scheme

As a key strategic partner within the SMP Alliance, McCann was entrusted with the delivery of Civil Engineering, Lighting, Signage & Technology packages across 24 Emergency Area locations on the M25 between junctions 23 and 27.

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McCann installs strategic infrastructure for a mixed-use area near Shrewsbury Town FC

As principal contractor, McCann’s constructed new highway and adoptable roads under Section 278/38 works, including footpaths, utility ducting, street lighting, signage, surface water drainage, flow chambers, connections to an existing watercourse, and landscaping preparation works. 

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McCann delivers seamless civil and lighting works at Top Wighay Farm development

McCann were chosen as the civil engineering supplier of choice by Balfour Beatty to deliver the Top Wighay Farm Civil Engineering Package.

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McCann announces appointment to the new £4.3 billion Pagabo National Framework for Civil Engineering and Infrastructure

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McCann helps shape new highways electrical apprenticeship with Nottingham College

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How can McCann help with your project?

McCann provides infrastructure solutions that surpass expectations, supporting every phase of projects, from design and buildability to implementation, to meet vital business and national requirements.

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