Hoyles Lane

Bethell Construction delivered a sewer upgrade project at Hoyles Lane in Preston, bringing significant long-term benefits to both the local community and environment.

The project’s primary objective was to mitigate internal and external flooding to properties along Hoyles Lane during heavy rainfall. The upgraded sewer system will also accommodate increased sewage flow from planned housing developments, as part of the local Preston and Lancashire city deal, ensuring long-term infrastructure resilience.

Project delivery involved the installation of approximately 4.2 km of new 600mm to 900mm sewer pipes, including a 150-metre tunnel beneath Savick Brook using a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM).

Complex engineering enabled safe navigation beneath Network Rail and Canal & River Trust assets by utilising two Guided Auger Bore (GAB) tunnels, each 60m long and 6m deep. An Under Track Crossing (UTX) was required beneath a railway line.

Modern construction techniques and equipment, such as vacuum excavation and tunnelling technology, ensured precision and minimised disruption. Vacuum excavation is safer and cleaner compared to traditional techniques, reducing manual handling and increasing accuracy.

Bethell chose a microtunnelling technique for the tunnel beneath Savick Brook, as it reduced surface disruption and environmental impact compared to alternative methods.

The TBM was named ‘Billie’ after a student from nearby Lea Endowed Primary School, who took a particular interest in the project. Bethell and UU volunteers provided improvements to the school grounds, further strengthening our ties to the community. UU awarded three “WOW” awards to Bethell employees for supporting the community.

Our in-house Quality team coordinated with the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) during their site audit. Due to the dedication and commitment of the team, our Hoyles Lane site attained a score of ‘Excellent’ throughout, with full marks in all categories. As a result, CCS awarded Bethell and United Utilities with two  Bronze National Site Awards.

Our full-time Customer Liaison Team situated at Hoyles Lane supported the needs of the community, maintaining a daily presence on site and interacting with the community, maintaining positive relationships based on mutual trust and respect. This was key as work was completed in various phases, so the impact on residents varied week to week, with works taking place directly outside properties.

Local stakeholders, including Hoyles Lane residents, expressed appreciation for the team’s cooperative attitude throughout the works. Bethell also installed a Starlink satellite receiver to maintain internet connection for residents during the project. The project was delivered with staged reinstatement to maintain residential access and minimise environmental impact.

Hoyles Lane was fully resurfaced and opened to residents, the public, and local bus routes 5 weeks earlier than agreed, following dialogue with UU and the local highways authority.