Anglian Water has started work on the first of two tunnels in Market Harborough as part of a £1.5 million project to reduce the risk of surface water flooding in Coventry Road.

The Anglian Water scheme began in November and has already seen a six metre deep ‘drill pit’ dug in the Commons Car Park to allow this next phase to take place.

Yesterday a manned tunnelling machine was lowered into the drill pit and began its 100 metre journey through the car park, under the town square and to the junction of Coventry Road. This tunnel will make space for a brand new surface water sewer pipe, which will be laid behind the tunnelling machine as it travels.

Over the next few weeks an engineer will be driving the machine six metres below the ground as the new surface water sewer pipe is built behind it. A ‘reception pit’ will then be constructed early in the New Year to connect the new sewer to the rest of the system. In January, work will begin in Coventry Road itself as a further 100 metres of new surface water sewer will be constructed to join up with the latest stage of work.

Antony Innes, from Anglian Water, said:

“Work is progressing well and on course to be completed in the spring as planned, despite the short delay initially starting work.”