Challenge
National Grid needed to deliver major infrastructure projects in the Thames Estuary, a region already experiencing:
- community fatigue from ongoing consultation and construction
- reputational risk tied to the visible presence of a large workforce (1000+) in small communities such as Grain
- a need to maintain programme momentum while avoiding local disruption or negative media attention.
Approach
Copper led strategic communications and engagement across multiple major schemes, including the Norwich to Tilbury and Grain to Shorne Gas Pipeline projects.
This work included:
- delivering a high-quality, benefits-led consultation for Norwich to Tilbury, with more than 52,000 homes contacted, 12 in-person events held and 23 parish council webinars hosted, resulting in 3400 consultation responses
- building a single communications team across all Grain-based projects to ensure unified, responsive messaging
- developing training and tools for site teams to understand community concerns, with a focus on behaviours such as safe driving on shared roads.
Value delivered
- Ensured public-facing engagement was consistent, constructive and aligned with community needs
- Gathered thousands of meaningful inputs that helped shape proposals and prepare for a strong Development Consent Order application
- Maintained positive community relations, avoided negative press and supported timely project delivery, contributing to the now-operational infrastructure.