Technology gives ageing Chipping Sodbury sewer new lease of life (From Gazette Series)

Wessex Water uses pioneering 'trenchless' technology to repair ageing Chipping Sodbury sewer

2:00pm Friday 8th March 2013 in News By Alexandra Womack

A NEW lease of life has been given to an ageing sewer that has served Chipping Sodbury for around 80 years.

Engineers from Wessex Water used innovative techniques to repair the sewer to minimise disruption for residents and businesses.

The work, completed last week, was carried out after engineers at the firm discovered small cracks during a survey which involved sending a CCTV camera into the sewer.

Traditionally the sewer would have been repaired by carrying out numerous excavations which would have had a long-term impact on traffic and local people and would have taken two months to complete.

However, in just three weeks engineers were able to repair the sewer using ‘trenchless techniques’ which involved the pipe being relined with a polyester sock that was pushed through manholes on Hatters Lane, Wickwar Road and Horse Street.

Julian Britton, project manager for the scheme, said: “Our trenchless work means we can significantly minimise the disruption caused during our work, as excavations are not required. It allows us to repair sewers under streets often without people even knowing we're carrying out the work.

"To repair the sewer using traditional methods would have had a serious impact on the town so we were keen to use the innovative technique to complete the work quickly and without causing inconvenience to local people.”

The work which was completed under two-way traffic lights will ensure the efficiency of the sewer is safeguarded for many years to come. Wessex Water thanked people for their patience while the essential upgrade work was in progress.