Case Histories - United Utilities
Client: One Offs
Service:
Engineering
Project: Replacement of concrete covers over silt collection chambers, Blackstone Edge, Rochdale
When
United Utilities needed to replace 30 stone silt collection
chamber covers on the water catchment pipeline serving the Blackstone
Edge and Warlands Reservoirs near Rochdale, Lancashire, they faced
a number of obstacles. Firstly, each slab weighed approximately
300kg and secondly vehicular access was not allowed as the pipeline
lies within a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Following a survey of the site, PMP recommended that new concrete
slabs were produced to replace the existing chamber covers. To overcome
vehicular access problems, a helicopter team was used to fly in
each slab. Each of the new 300kg concrete slabs was then manoeuvred
into position by PMP’s team of engineers.
The project presented many problems as the chambers were spread
over a large area of moorland, often more than one hour’s
walk from the temporary base set up by the nearest road. Secondly
adverse weather conditions affected the operation of the helicopter.
