Barhale is proud to be delivering essential improvements at Etruria Vale as part of Severn Trent Water’s Framework Directive Scheme. This project focuses on the construction of deep shaft tanks to enhance water quality into the river Trent by reducing intermittent discharges from Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs). These improvements will help protect and improve local watercourses while increasing resilience during storms. Additionally, some significant and innovative work has already been achieved. The project benefits from the commissioning of Hydrotec to construct a quarter-sized scale model to analyse the flows and pump routines as part of the design and build process.

The project spans multiple locations, including Lower Oxford Road CSO, Lower Oxford Road Shaft and Etruria Vale Shaft. With the Lower Oxford Road Shaft nearing completion, significant progress has been made. This phase has involved diverting two gas mains, constructing a 10.5m diameter storm tank and installing a 1.5m inlet, overflow manholes and new pipelines, including a 600mm spill and 525mm inlet. Additional works have included MCC kiosks, cable ducting, highway grass verge improvements and the demolition of the CSO cover slab.

A key challenge on this scheme was the installation of a 160mm diameter rising main, which required crossing the busy A53 Etruria Road. Thanks to close collaboration with the local authority and the public, disruption was minimised, ensuring the smooth delivery of this critical phase.

So far, several key milestones have been met. The shaft and surrounding areas have been backfilled, mechanical pipework for the valve chamber and shaft has been completed and electrical ducting, draw pits, the MCC base, kiosk and MCC have all been installed. A temporary generator has also been set up to support operations.

Looking ahead, upcoming milestones include landscaping and reinstating the car park with kerbs, block paving, tarmac and white lining, along with the removal of hoarding as we move toward final site handover.

A huge thank you to our dedicated teams for their continued hard work in delivering this vital infrastructure.