Dŵr Cymru tunnels its £1.3 million investment into Swansea

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water’s £1.3 million investment to reduce the risk of flooding to properties within #the St Helen’s area of Swansea has reached a key milestone.

This week saw the arrival of the tunnel boring machine on site which will create a new 600mm tunnel under Oystermouth Road that will house the new sewer pipe.

The investment project, by the not-for-profit company, will bring long term benefits by increasing capacity on the wastewater network. This in turn will improve its performance, particularly during wet weather, and help reduce the risk of potential bursts, flooding and pollution.

Work on the essential scheme is taking place on Francis Street, Guildhall Road North, Oystermouth Road and a section of works will be completed on the beach. This will involve replacing the sewer pipes and improving and constructing manholes. Work began at the end of July 2015 and will be completed by the end of January 2016.

While the work is carried out, there will be no impact on the wastewater service to local people and businesses.

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water’s Capital Delivery Manager, Lee O’Brien said: “We are committed to delivering a first class wastewater network to our customers and our investment here reflects this. The arrival of the tunnelling machine on site demonstrates the measures we implement to minimise the disruption of work such as this to customers. The tunnelling machine will be busy working away underground but customers will be none the wiser of the work taken place under their feet.

“We have worked closely with Swansea City Council in planning the work to ensure it does not impact on major events planned for the city over the coming months which includes the fireworks display and Christmas activities.”

Picture: Tunnel boring machine with (from left to right) Neil Derrick (General Foreman); Gavin Lewis (Senior Engineer); Richard Wilson (Active Tunnelling); and Nicola Rowlands (SHEQ Co-ordinator)