Bethell’s Shaft Sinking & Tunnelling team completes project to prevent storm spills into River Roch
Bethell hold over 65 years of historic practical knowledge and a good business awareness of no-dig operations, following the establishment of The Kilroe Group in 1967 as a specialist tunnelling operator, operating nationwide.
Today, that same tunnelling expertise remains in Bethell’s DNA, as we are involved in early engagement sessions with water authorities to alleviate the risk of river pollution, utilising our in-house capabilities to provide additional added value for our clients.
Bethell were contracted by United Utilities to deliver a package of works to improve water quality on a stretch of the River Roch, as part of a wider investment by United Utilities to tackle storm overflows and improve river health across the North West.
Multiple ‘no-dig’ tunnelling techniques were utilised to install 150m of 600/1200/1500Ø sewer at Openshaw Park in Bury, to create storm flow screening that will provide storm flow screening and help mitigate against the impact of UU’s operations on the river.
These techniques included guided auger bore, pipe-jacking with an electric, remote-controlled Brokk excavator and vacuum excavation and TBM
tunnelling, as required due to poor ground conditions due to the discovery of weak mudstone at approximately 6.0m deep and the park’s tightly confined layout.
A TBM named Rochelle was deployed to install 50m of 1200Ø sewer, named in honour of the River Roch, and 75m of 1500Ø sewer was installed using pipe-jacking techniques and a hand shield named Thomasina, in reference to St Thomas CoE Primary School, a school near the park.
A local supply chain partner based in Heywood, Tunnel Engineering Services, were employed to assist with delivery of trenchless techniques.
Our site team included a Trainee Project Manager and Apprentice Site Engineer, both of whom were locally employed and demonstrated Bethell’s commitment to supporting the development of our future workforce. The project is provided an excellent opportunity for future engineers and project managers to gain valuable experience in innovative civil engineering techniques.
Bethell worked collaboratively with UU during an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) phase from September 2021 to contract award in February 2023, undertaking early-stage hydraulic modelling, site investigations, and preliminary designs whilst the solution was subject to ever changing scope requirements. Following contract award, we developed the outline solution and undertook detailed design through procurement to on-site delivery.
We received excellent client satisfaction feedback from UU’s Head of Health and Safety for the stringent measures in place to protect our people and stakeholders. In addition, an audit from the Considerate Constructors Scheme rated Bethell as “Excellent” across three categories, praising our consideration for the community, environment and our people.
