Work has started on a £60 million waste and water infrastructure upgrade in Newark, Nottinghamshire.

The BNM Alliance, a partnership between Barhale and North Midland Construction, is working with Severn Trent to update its legacy water system and help protect 400 homes and businesses from the threat of sewer flooding.

A 160-tonne tunnel boring machine (TBM) has now started burrowing a 15km pipeline beneath the market town and completion is scheduled for 2020.


The 75-metre long 'Siege Breaker' will burrow a 2.85m diameter tunnel from its entry point at Crankley Point Sewage Works, travelling 2,800 metres to create the 'backbone' of the revamped water network.

Nick Wallace, programme engineer from Severn Trent said: "This work forms a pinnacle part of the project and will help protect our customers from sewer flooding. As the town continues to expand with developments and businesses, the new water and waste system means that our customers in Newark have a more reliable and stable system for years to come."

The BNM Alliance board said: "This high-profile project with Severn Trent reinforces Barhale plc and North Midland Construction Plc's alliance. This powerful tunnelling technology will allow the BNM Alliance team to develop the principal tunnel 'backbone' to the entire scheme – and is a major milestone in the commencement of this three-year project."

(LM/MH)