£1 million tunnel scheme will secure drinking water supplies

23/06/2005

A tunnel deep beneath the bed of the river Tyne will be dug to provide a protected long-term solution, which will secure future drinking water supplies for the people of Hexham and the surrounding area.

The 120 metre-long tunnel will carry water mains replacing those washed away when storms turned the Tyne into a torrent in January 2005, cutting off supplies to thousands of customers for up to a week.

Shafts 15 metres deep will be sunk on either side of the river near Tyne Green, Hexham, to link with the tunnel, which will be one metre in diameter, lined with concrete and excavated 10 metres below the riverbed.

Construction is projected to take about six months to complete and cost £1 million. A machine controlled from the surface will dig the tunnel. The planned start date is July 2005.

Three pipelines, each 12 inches in diameter will be housed in the tunnel – two linked to pipes washed away earlier this year. The third will be installed for future demand.

Temporary pipelines laid over land and over the Hexham road bridge at Rotary Way since the storms flooded Tynedale in January have served customers.

Chris Watson, Northumbrian Water’s Investment Delivery Manager, said: “The original pipes were laid in a trench dug in the river bed and buried in concrete and had served the area well without a problem for many years.

“We are determined to make the solution even more robust and by running the pipes in a tunnel beneath the river I can confidently say that customers’ supply will be safely carried across the river.

“We will also do our utmost to keep any disruption to customers to an absolute minimum.”

Northumbrian Water’s plans are subject to final consultation with and approval, where appropriate, by Tynedale Council, the Environment Agency and landowners.

For further information contact: Alistair Baker, Communications and PR Manager 0191 301 6851.