Barhale wins triple package under United Utilities’ Better Rivers programme

Barhale has been awarded three major civil engineering packages as part of United Utilities’ £3 billion Better Rivers programme, a long-term initiative aimed at improving water quality and reducing storm overflow spills across the North West.

The specialist infrastructure contractor will deliver projects in Cheadle (Stockport), Wheatfield Close and Thornton (Merseyside), all designed to increase storage capacity, enhance network resilience and support United Utilities’ commitment to cutting storm overflow spills by 60% before 2030. The works are being delivered within the utility’s AMP8 framework.

Expanding storage capacity across three key sites

At Cheadle, Barhale will construct a new 500m³ detention tank and a 10.5m diameter, 13m deep segmental shaft, alongside upgrades to the combined sewer overflow (CSO), valve and flow meter chambers.

The Wheatfield Close project will deliver a further 1,400m³ of storage through a 15m diameter, 13m deep caisson-built shaft, along with associated CSO improvements, valve and flow chamber works, and Section 278 highways works to facilitate a new access route.

At Thornton, a new 14m diameter, 6m high above-ground stainless steel segmental tank will increase capacity by 1,000m³. Additional works include a new wet well (4m x 6m deep), flow chambers, CSO modifications and a new outfall with headwall to improve structural stability.

Engineering efficiencies to minimise disruption

Nick Curtis, Regional Manager at Barhale, explained that careful design and the strategic use of existing assets have reduced the scale of construction while achieving the required improvements.

“It is an absolute priority to help protect rivers and the wider environment by reducing spills from storm overflows,” he said. “We are demonstrating that it is possible to do so while delivering best value and minimising intrusiveness for customers and communities.

“We have worked closely with United Utilities to shape each of the project approaches and are looking forward to making our contribution to the Better Rivers project.”