New pipe set to increase sewer capacity in the South Gloucestershire region

Tunnelling work for the the Frome Valley sewer pipe, which will provide vital additional sewerage scope, is currently underway beneath the M4 motorway, with boring taking place at Three Brooks Local Nature Reserve.

Although current capacity is adequate, large new developments in places such as Yate, Emersons Green, Bradley Stoke and Filton means it needs to be increased. The sewer will provide additional capacity by diverting wastewater flows from South Gloucestershire to Bristol sewage treatment works in Avonmouth.

As part of the £15 million Frome Valley relief sewer scheme, Wessex Water is tunnelling beneath the motorway from the nature reserve in Bradley Stoke, South Gloucestershire.

Project manager Mike Bryant said: “Work is progressing well, with the M4 tunnel crossing works getting underway last week and due to last for approximately four months.”

The first sections of the Frome Valley relief sewer were laid in areas of North Bristol and Yate during the 1980s and 1990s.

Wessex Water is now constructing a 5km long, 1.8m diameter pipe that will run from Iron Acton, north of Frampton Cotterell, and then westwards to Bradley Stoke.

Mr Bryant said: “We are currently sinking other shafts on the job, and we will be mobilising additional tunnel boring machines around the Winterbourne and Iron Acton areas in the coming months.

“Open excavation in rock around Iron Acton is proving to be tough but we are achieving the estimated outputs per day.

“In September we will be crossing the River Frome, which has all been agreed with the Environment Agency and conservation groups.”  

Wessex Water is taking painstaking care to protect the natural habitats and environment of wildlife at the nature reserve, with a temporary footpath in place and access maintained at all times.

A video of the tunnel boring work can be viewed here. For more information about the Frome Valley relief sewer scheme visit www.wessexwater.co.uk/fromevalley