Results for the year to December 31 2016 show losses grew to £17.4m from £13.8m last time as turnover ticked-up to £342.2m from £312.3m.

HSS said the losses were down to “a year of investment in a new distribution network structure” and “right-sizing” plan for its branches.

HSS shut 18 under-performing branches during the last quarter of 2016 and seven distribution centres during the year.

A further 37 branches are being closed during the first half of this year.

John Gill, Chief Executive Officer of HSS Hire, said: “2016 was a year of significant operational change and investment for the Group.

“The result is an enhanced operating platform that will enable us to deliver superior fleet availability to customers right across our network, creating the foundation for future sustainable profit growth.

“While we made good progress in key accounts, specialist rental and our fast-growing Services business during the year, this was not matched by revenue growth in our core Rental business and re-establishing momentum in this area is our primary focus in 2017 and beyond.

“Our markets remain competitive on price, but the initiatives implemented over the last 12 months – and the ongoing programme of network optimisation – have strengthened our capabilities and leave the Group well positioned to continue to serve our existing and future customers.”

Winchester Crown Court heard how BAM had been appointed by Network Rail to construct a new railway operating centre in Basingstoke.

BAM later appointed Shoreland Projects Ltd as the groundworks contractor for the project.

On 26 January 2015, when work began to install lampposts on the site entrance road, the fifth lamp post touched the 11kV overhead power lines when it was being lifted into position by an excavator, causing Mark Bradley to suffer his injuries.

A colleague rushed to Bradley’s aid, using a piece of timber to push him away from the lamp column.

An HSE investigation found a failure to properly identify the presence of the overhead power lines and appropriately plan this work activity.

No suitable control measures were in place to prevent contact with the overhead power lines putting a number of workers at risk.

BAM Construction Limited, of Hemel Hempstead, pleaded guilty to breaching Electricity at Work Regulations and was fined £260,000 and ordered to pay costs of £9415.13.

Shoreland Projects Limited of Botley also pleaded guilty to and was fined £22,000 and ordered to pay costs of £8442.53.

Speaking after the case HSE inspector William Christie said: “While this entirely preventable incident has had a permanent and very substantial effect on Mark’s life, his very serious injuries could have been even worse had it not been for the quick thinking of his colleague.

“This case highlights the importance for all work to be planned properly by all duty holders. Overhead power lines pose a significant threat to the safety of workers.

“Construction work in the vicinity of live conductors must be properly planned, managed and monitored to ensure the risks are controlled.”

The vast workers’ village will set new standards in site facilities and is considered to be the largest hotel-style development in Europe for 25 years, equivalent to a 3-star hotel.

When completed in 2017/18, it will provide 1,496 en-suite bedrooms across 44 buildings at two key locations.

The Bridgwater Campus is the larger of the two developments, with Caledonian providing twenty-nine accommodation blocks, each offering en-suite rooms for 34 workers.

A further 15 buildings will be located at the Hinkley site providing direct access to the construction zone.

The three-storey buildings will complement the surroundings, with natural timber and stone-effect cement cladding on exterior facades.

Caledonian is manufacturing the 1,496 volumetric modules at its facility in Newark, Nottinghamshire, over a 51-week period.

The firm competed with an international supply chain to win the contract with Laing O’Rourke and has doubled its workforce and re-launched its apprenticeship scheme to complete the order.

Campus accommodation will be delivered to site 96% complete, with all en-suite rooms fully fitted-out.

All external cladding will be applied during the manufacturing process, which will enable each 34-bedroom block to be completed in six weeks once delivered to site.

Caledonian chief Paul Lang, who has been closely involved in the process, said: “This is a hugely significant project for Caledonian and the wider offsite industry.

“This contract award is testament to the commitment of the project team and we are delighted to be working on one of the most important construction projects in Europe.”

Laing O’Rourke Project Leader, Scott Palmer said: “We look forward to working with Caledonian across the two Somerset campus site locations, to deliver high quality accommodation to the Hinkley Point C workforce.”