Hi everyone,

the weeks are flying over!

Please find below update for the works to Friday, 5 August 2016:

Excavation continued to the Actiflo and Rapid gravity filters areas in the NW corner of the site (photos attached). Excavated material was stockpiled on the spoil heap at the SE corner. This heap is now completed and topsoil was spread to the heap during the latter part of the week (see photo).

A new haul route was developed to allow further excavated material to be stockpiled in the SW corner of the site (see photo).

Northern Power grid returned to site to continue work to the diversion of overhead high voltage cables to a new underground route. New poles have been erected to replace redundant ones which will be removed when diversion works are complete (see photo). The work will continue over the weekend of Saturday, 6 and Sunday,7 August, 2016.

Enjoy the weekend. Watch out for the winds on Sunday.

 Geoff

Please find attached details of the site team on the Horsley WTW Upgrade scheme. In the coming weeks we shall put some more detailed identity to the faces on display.

Hi everyone,

please find below the latest update of work carried out up to Friday, 29 July, 2016.

Works have again continued to the excavation for the Actiflo and Rapid Gravity Filters area at the north-west corner of the site. The excavated material stockpile at the southern boundary of the site continues to grow. Trial hole excavations have been continuing all week to ascertain the exact locations and identify materials of existing services. These are well-documented on historical records, but nothing is being left to chance in case there are any mis-recorded details.

Fortunately for the region the forked lightning forecasted for last weekend did not materialise. Unfortunately for us it postponed the transfer of the overhead high voltage cables to their new underground home for a fortnight. The work is now planned to be completed over the weekend of 6/7 August, 2016. To date the overall project remains unaffected by this delay.

Away from work, as part of our quest for good community liaison, Mike Foster (NWG Project Manager) and I visited The Hearth in Horsley village. The Hearth is an Arts Centre and Cafe, catering for local residents and visitors alike. The food and drink in the cafe looked tip-top, and the work by resident artists on show in The Hearth was fantastic. I would recommend a visit. Details are on www.thehearth.co.uk.

An old film about the construction of Horsley Water Treatment Works as we know it today has surfaced. It's worth a watch even for the nostalgia value, prior to current-day health and safety standards, and in the days of Fast Show meetings. Oh, and it's very educational. Find it at http://player.bfi.org.uk/film/watch-waters-of-the-tyne-1978/ .

Happy viewing. Enjoy the weekend.

Geoff

Hi Everyone,

One of our previous works managers from Horsley Water Treatment Works has made me aware of a video that documents the history associated with the building of the original treatment works in the 1970's.

The Waters of the Tyne - take a look at the building of the original works in the 1970's on the British Film Institute web site:

http://player.bfi.org.uk/film/watch-waters-of-the-tyne-1978/

Regards
Mike Foster

Hi, everyone,

please find below an udate on progress at Horsley WTW to Friday, 22 July, 2016.

Works have continued to the excavation for the Actiflo and Rapid Gravity Filters area at the north-west corner of the site. The excavated material generated is being stockpiled at the southern boundary of the site and will be maintained for use in backfilling operations later in the project. An existing mound to the east of our excavation has this week been removed to facilitate future works in this area. This was made possible by the diversion works to an existing pumped main ( which I reported on in the previous update).

Works to facilitate removal of existing overhead power lines serving the WTW continued throughout the week. Replacement underground cables have been laid along the western verge of Water Lane. These will be connected and energised by Northern Power Grid in the near future. (This work was originally planned for weekend of Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 July, but a threat of forked lightning for the area has slightly delayed operations).

Site staff are now comfortably settled in the site compound area accommodation.

I have attched some progress photos to the update.

Have a nice weekend.

Geoff

Hi, everyone

We have , this week, concentrated on the excavation works for the Actiflo and Rapid Gravity Filters areas of the site (noth-west corner). Work is progressing well in line with the contract programme. Material removed from the excavation is being stockpiled at the south end of the site. Some of this will be used to backfill around underground structures upon completion.

A pressure test was carried out on the new diversion pipeline which was installed last week to the existing pumped main running across the site..

Have a nice weekend.

Geoff

Hi everyone,

find below a summary of works up to Friday, 1 July, 2016:

Site offices and welfare units installation has continued throughout the week. Cabins have now had sanitary, water and electric services installed ready for occupation by the site team early next week. (Photos attached).

Bulk earthworks excavation, for the construction of new Actflo units (which will eventually provide the initial clarification of the water from Whittle Dene and the River Tyne which is extracted for the treatment process through the Horsley Water Treatment Works), continued throughout the week with a sizeable hole now apparent in the north-west corner of the site (photos attached).

To facilitate further excavation works for future construction the diversion of an existing 315mm diameter (12 inches to us oldsters) pumped main across the site commenced. Installation of the new pipe has been completed with pressure testing and connection works to follow next week.

Hope the weather fairs up soon. Have a nice weekend.

Geoff

Hi everyone

Find below the summary for week ending Friday, 10 June, 2016.

Work continued to establish the site compound area for the location of the offices. Concrete foundations for the office units were completed and delivery of the units commenced on Thursday, 9 June. All office units are now installed. Next week we will bring in welfare facilities and stores for the construction staff.

Earthworks will commence on Monday, 13 June to provide an area for parking of vehicles for the construction duration. The material removed form the current sound screen will be replaced along the nortern edge of the compound area to provide additional screening for houses on the southern boundary of the village.

Enjoy the Queen's 90^th birthday celebrations over the weekend.

Geoff

Hi everyone

Just a quick note to introduce myself. My name is Geoff Joyce. I am employed by MWH which is a consultancy which specialises in water and wasetwater networks and treatment. My role (ECC Supervisor) on the Horsley upgrade contract is to ensure that all works carried out on site are constructed in line with the contract specifications. I shall also assist Chris O'Brien with keeping you up to date with relevant news on the project on a regular basis.

Site offices are due for delivery to site next week (week commencing Monday, 6 June, 2016). All delivery vehicles and site plant have been instructed to enter site from the west to avoid any disruption to local traffic and residents.

Have a nice weekend

Geoff

Hi Everyone,

Chris O'Brien the Site Manager for Interserve has provided the following update on the works commencing on site:

• 'Works on the compound area is due to start week commencing 06/06/16 with a crane arriving on site to position the site cabins / welfare facilities with in Crofts Well field opposite the site . The existing spoil mounds will be reshaped to form a bund around the perimeter of the field and recycled stone will be placed to form the car park / lay down area with in the compound. An Ecologist has been present on site this week and has identified certain areas of long grass that will be hand searched by a specially trained Ecologist before the works commence to ensure we are not disturbing any local reptiles and once the project is complete Crofts Well field will be restored to its original condition to be passed back to the owner .'
• 'Site signage has also started to be erected with specific attention being paid to informing suppliers and contractors not to drive through the village of Horsley . A traffic management plan has been issued and we are currently organising the install of permanent signage on the A69 through A69 Road link, advising of the diversion . Newcastle County Council will be installing temporary signage on A69 this week until permanent is installed.'

Once the site offices have been set up Chris will keep you updated on the construction works as it .

regards

Mike Foster