VolkerStevin's joint venture (JV) with CH2M has reached a major milestone on its £14.5 million Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) upgrade project in Lancashire.

The C2V+ JV is began work to improve Chorley WwTW for United Utilities in October 2015.

The project workforce has now completed 18 hours of continuous concrete pouring to lay the foundations of the new 43-metre diameter settlement tanks.

Michael Ryding, senior project manager for C2V+, said: "We had a one day window to complete the pour as quickly as possible to ensure that the concrete was achieving the desired set by using a mechanical finishing tool (powerfloat) to get the perfect finish. It is a real milestone for the project so we are really pleased it went to plan."


Main features of the development include building a new inlet works, final settlement tanks and the refurbishment and change of the existing surface aeration plant to a fine bubble diffuser plant.

Darren Hynes, framework director of C2V+, said: "This is a challenging project with a huge amount of work to be done to meet the regulatory date of April 17. Most of the large structures are precast off site to minimise the amount of construction on site, improve quality as well as minimising local traffic movements. The project requires a lot of expertise and precision to ensure no impact to the existing operational works whilst the reconstruction is carried out."

Phase one of the scheme is due to be complete by March 2017.

(LM/CD)