Hi all.

As some of you may have noticed we are not carrying out much work at the main work area by the aqueduct (footbridge). Unfortunately, we have encountered some unforeseen issues with the water mains in this area and we are having to pause to assess the risks and decide on the best way forward to complete the works whilst ensuring the safety of our work force and the full operation of the water network.

In the meantime, we are continuing to work on the area nearer our compound to bring everything to ground level and reinstate.

Thanks for your continuing patience.

Hi all.

Sorry it's been so long since the last update but be assured we are all still working hard to complete the water main repair and make sure you all continue to have plentiful, clean and safe water now and into the future.

We continue to experience unexpected challenges but nothing insurmountable.

I've attached a number of pictures to keep you all in the loop.

Cheers

Dave

Good afternoon,

We have attended site this afternoon and hand deliver a letter to local residents, from both Northumbrian Water and Esh-MWH.  I have copied the letter below for residents who live further afield.

The letter explains that we have experienced further challenges that have resulted in a further delay.  Our works will now be completed by the end of December 2018.

We would like to offer our sincere apologies for the undoubted inconvenience this further work will cause.

Regards

Christine

Sorry for the late update,

We apologise but we are still in no position to give a date for the reopening of the bridge.  We are collating further information to provide an accurate date, which will be later than anticipated.  In the next couple of days we should be in a better position to give a date when the Aquaduct will reopen.

Thank you for you continued patience and understanding whilst we carry out this essential works.

Christine

Good afternoon,

I am just back from Barnard Castle and couldn't wait to share these photo's.

As I said earlier, today myself, the site Manager and his wife Hayley volunteered to assist Bright Woods Forest School get across the viaduct to enable their Gruffalo Story Walk.  The Forest School contacted me a few months ago asking for help and we were more than happy to. 

Whilst there, we spoke to many local residents and tourists providing updates and allowing some photos off the bridge.  The group arrived along with the Gruffalo himself!!

We managed to get them safely across the bridge under close supervision, and all the children were very polite and thanked us.  Our Site Manager, Dave, had even drawn his own storyboard pictures which were placed along the bridge.

It was a lovely morning and I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who stopped to chat, take an interest or simply join in the Gruffalo walk.  Thank you to everyone at the Bright Wood Forest School for being very polite and allowing us to be part of your day.

Christine

Good morning

You may have seen us on the Bridge today. The bridge is not open to the public. We are working with Bright Woods Forestry School for the morning to assist with The Gruffalo.

Photos to follow.

Christine

Hi all.

Just a quick note to let you know that the traffic management has changed again so that the east bound lane is closed and all traffic is on the west bound lane though our traffic lights.

We have overcome the issues we were experiencing on site now and can continue on with the planned works.

Thanks

Dave

Good afternoon.

We are continuing with fault finding works at Deepdale. Unfortunately, this is taking much longer than hoped and is continuing as of today. We are making progress with the problem however and have corrected one issue and located a second which we hope to correct today.

Please be assured that we are making every effort to minimise the delay and the disruption to you. Residents will have noted that operatives have been working late on several occasions recently, putting in up to 14-hour days.

Thanks for your continuing patience.

Hi all,

We have completed the changes to the traffic management this morning to allow us to continue our excavation work. The west bound lane closure has been extended to the bridge and the east bound lane is open for the full length of the traffic management and serves for traffic in both directions.

Following on from a contact from a cyclist earlier in the week, who complained that he could not get through the entire length of the works before traffic started coming the other way, can I remind all cyclist that they are advised to dismount and use the pedestrian route for their own safety. This message is also displayed on the signs approaching the traffic management.

Thanks,

Dave.

Good morning,

We would like to apologise for the delay to the work at Deepdale and the ongoing disruption to traffic and pedestrian routes, unfortunately we are experiencing some issues. Whilst we have installed the majority of the pipework we are having problems getting one area to pass a pressure test. Please be assured that we are working to correct this issue as soon as possible.

To do this we must proceed systematically to identify the problem area before correcting it. Although it may seem that we have few operatives on site at the moment, the checks must be carried out methodically and flooding the site with men would actually be counterproductive.

We are having some successes and we are gradually homing in on the issue. Please expect some slight changes to the traffic management next week as we adjust our excavations to the anticipated location.

Apologies again and thanks for your continuing patience.

Dave