One of the largest Earth Pressure Balanced tunnelling machines in the UK has been delivered to Balfour Beatty.
The machine is being used as part of a £32 million project to improve water quality in the Manchester Ship Canal for its customer, United Utilities.
The 140 tonne machine is designed for operation in soft ground conditions containing water under pressure, differing from other large tunnelling machines that operate in dry conditions.
It was driven from Staffordshire to the Manchester site before being lifted down into one of the three 30 metre deep shafts the company has constructed as part of a project to prevent undiluted sewage entering the ship canal.
Balfour Beatty's supply chain partner Murphy's will now start tunnelling under the Trafford Park site, including a road, to create a 3.66 metre wide, 700 metre long tunnel.
Construction News
20/11/2014
Tunnelling Machine Used To Improve Water Quality For United Utilities

03/07/2025
Associated British Ports (ABP) has submitted a reserved matters application for 103,000 sq ft of speculative industrial and logistics space at Helm @ Immingham.
This marks the first phase of development at the 227-acre site.
The scheme will deliver a range of purpose-built units from 4,820 sq ft

03/07/2025
First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) is set to begin a major new phase of energy efficiency upgrades this month, with a £6.1 million investment aimed at improving 645 homes across the borough.
Starting 14 July, properties in Abbey Hills, Roundthorn, Shaw, and several estates in Chadderton will receive

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Plans to boost North Lincolnshire's transport infrastructure have reached a significant milestone with the completion of Phase 1 of the M181 'southern junction' project.
Led by North Lincolnshire Council in partnership with National Highways, the multi-million-pound scheme includes the construction

03/07/2025
The multi-million-pound refurbishment of Watford Colosseum has reached practical completion, with the historic venue now officially handed over to operator AEG Presents UK.
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Sigma Capital Group has announced the acquisition of four new development sites worth around £100 million in gross development cost (GDC), continuing its strategic partnership with Vistry Group.
The projects will deliver 415 new single-family rental homes across England, further cementing Sigma's

03/07/2025
A major £215,000 upgrade to the Winsover Road level crossing in Spalding is set to begin this Saturday night, 5 July, aimed at improving rail reliability and ensuring safety for motorists, pedestrians and rail users.
The essential works will see a full replacement of the life-expired crossing surfa

03/07/2025
A former office building in Cardiff Bay has been given a new lease of life, with 33 high-quality council apartments now handed over to Cardiff Council as part of a wider redevelopment to deliver 78 new homes.
The Scott Harbour building, once a commercial office block, is undergoing a major conversi

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Social value specialist Loop has launched the UK's first monetised social value metrics tool tailored specifically for the housing sector, offering developers a new, data-driven approach to strengthen planning applications, engage communities and showcase real-world benefits.
Developed in partnersh

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Construction is officially underway on the new Whitefield Community Fire Station, part of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service's (GMFRS) £38 million Estates Improvement Programme.
Led by Robertson Construction North West, the project will replace the former fire station on Bury New Road with

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Hull City Council has officially appointed Esh Construction to lead a major repair and strengthening programme on Drypool Bridge, one of the city's key transport links.
The project will be delivered in partnership with engineering consultancy Mason Clark Associates.
Work will begin on the south s