Horsley Water Treatment Works Upgrade

Hi everyone

The latest update follows:

Those March winds wreaked havoc with crane operations at the start of the week. Steelfixing to the high level Actiflo slabs continued through the week, along with reinforcement to the lower walls to the Rapid Gravity Filters. Formwork was constructed to the beams which will support lamella clarifier installations in the Actiflo Building at the north end of the site, and concrete was placed at the back end of the week (see photos attached).

With the threat of taking out water supplies to the whole of Gateshead, we excavated a trial hole on the Low Service Main at the exit from the treated water reservoir at the south end of the site. This work was necessary to confirm the exact location, level and material make-up of the main for a connection to be made onto the main at the latter stages of the project. With planning and execution like that of a military operation the contractor completed this work without any hiccups and will deservedly have an enjoyable weekend break.

One of our colleagues decided last weekend that with the onset of the good weather he would show his wife and daughter his dexterity in the science/art of cycling. They set off into Wolsingham, his place of residence, and tackled some of the hilly territory. I always advise people when they are going out for the first time in a while to check their equipment, check the weather forecast and take stock of their own capabilities. The bike appeared in good condition (it should be because the next venture out will constitute its second use). The weather was excellent for outdoor pursuits. Unfortunately for him what goes up must also come down. On the downhill stretch into the picturesque Wolsingham his stature coupled with a well-oiled machine acted exactly as predicted by Sir Isaac Newton. From a standing start he accelerated to terminal velocity in no time. Inexperience and a failed brake system are no match for the sharp right-hander which presented itself to him at the foot of the hill. If anybody from the Wolsingham area has a photo of said "big-fella" being jettisoned into the River Wear, please feel free to forward to me for publication.

An "old bloke" (my colleagues description not mine) who witnessed this debacle laughed so much he suffered an asthma attack which turned out to be quite discomforting. Happily he recovered nicely from this as my colleague witnessed him outside the local hostelry the next day (no doubt recounting tales of ill-prepared buffoons on bikes on outrageously steep hills).

You couldn't make it up!

Name and address of buffoon supplied but withheld out of respect for his wife and daughter.

Have a nice weekend (plan ahead).

Geoff