News

Pupils from Bishop Alexander School were invited to name Severn Trent’s latest tunnelling machine and watch it prepare for take-off in Newark last week.

The state-of-the-art tunnelling machine, called the ‘Wiggle Blaster’, is now in place and ready to go as the company’s £60m investment continues in the Nottinghamshire town.

Nick Wallace, from Severn Trent, said: “The ‘Wiggle Blaster’ will work its way underground from Quibells Lane all the way to Crankley point, it will create one of the tunnels that will allow us to put in the bigger, better sewer pipes that Newark needs.

“This machine is even bigger than the Mount Mole that we are using in other parts of the town, and will be hard at work under Newark for around six weeks, all without anyone knowing it’s there.”

With a diameter of 2.1 metres, the Wiggle Blaster is the second largest tunnelling machine being used for the work in Newark, and will have created a tunnel that’s 150 metres long, when it finishes its journey.

The tunnelling forms part of Severn Trent’s plan to completely overhaul the waste and water services in Newark, with work being carried out by contract partners BNM Alliance.

“It’s great having the children here to name the machine and watch it as it prepares to take off,” adds Nick. “These are really exciting times for the project, so it’s great to be able to share it with those who will benefit for many years to come.”

When completed in 2020, more than 400 homes and businesses will have extra protection from sewer flooding, with 15 miles of new and improved water and waste pipes built for Newark.

To keep up to date with Severn Trent’s work in Newark, please visit stw.works