Strengthening Halifax’s Sewer Network: Essential Upgrades at Thorpe Mill Court

We have successfully completed a vital upgrade to Halifax’s sewer network, replacing 13 meters of pipeline at Thorpe Mill Court. The project, located adjacent to the River Ryburn, required careful planning to ensure structural integrity and to protect the environment.

Navigating Access Challenges

With the pipeline situated within a private residential garden, access was a significant hurdle. The restricted space allowed only for essential personnel, making the transportation of heavy equipment difficult.

To minimise disruption, we worked closely with residents, arranging a carefully coordinated schedule for using the car park as a temporary work zone. A compact and quick set-up mobile tower crane was brought in after 9:00 AM and removed by 3:00 PM each day, ensuring residents had full access to parking overnight.

There was also an on-site coordinator to assist residents and manage vehicle and pedestrian movement, ensuring day-to-day activities could continue smoothly.

Innovative Engineering Solutions

A key technical challenge was maintaining sewer flow while the replacement was underway. Given the pipeline’s location within the river footprint and the constraints on crane access, the team turned to advanced engineering solutions.

By implementing Under Pressure Tee (UPT) drilling technology and EAZI VALVE online valves, they were able to safely divert sewer flows without disrupting the network. This was an essential step in completing the upgrade efficiently.

A Collaborative Approach

Reflecting on the project’s success, Ian Bolt, Morrison Water Services’ Civils Project Manager, highlighted the importance of our teamwork:

“This was a challenging but rewarding project. By working closely with residents and engineering specialists, we were able to overcome the site’s unique constraints and complete the upgrade with minimal disruption.”

This essential infrastructure improvement not only strengthens the sewer network, but also demonstrates the power of collaboration in delivering complex engineering projects in residential areas.

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