Barhale has completed a key sewer diversion programme at Lakeside Way, York to help clear the way for a major university accommodation project.

The work, carried out on behalf of Yorkshire Water, is part of a 1480-bed student accommodation scheme for the University of York being built by construction company, GRAHAM. The works included installing two sewage pumping mains to enable the construction of the new buildings. The team also made alterations to the mechanical and electrical equipment on the mains to allow the construction of a new road through the campus.

In order to overcome difficult ground conditions, the team used directional drilling methods and a flexible, smaller bore 180mm diameter MDPE plastic pipe.

Barhale Project Manager, Philip Walker said he was delighted with how the team had negotiated the project’s challenges effectively which allowed them to complete the project four weeks early, ensuring that that GRAHAM could fulfil their demanding programme.

“Everyone has really risen to the task,” he said. “We’ve worked closely with all of the stakeholders to overcome some tricky ground conditions to complete the project and to pave the way for the transformation of the Heslington East Campus.”

Phase 1 of the £130m flagship scheme is scheduled to be completed ahead of the 2021/2022 academic year.