Shaft Sinking & Tunnelling
In 2023, as part of our ongoing strategic development, Bethell Group re-established our Shaft Sinking & Tunnelling division with Bethell Construction Limited. We aim to self-deliver and strengthen our overall offering for water authorities, providing a competitive solution in the marketplace.
We hold over 65 years of historic practical knowledge and a good business awareness of no-dig operations, following the establishment of The Kilroe Group in 1967 as a specialist tunnelling operator, operating nationwide. Today, that same tunnelling expertise remains in Bethell’s DNA, as we are involved in early engagement sessions with water authorities to alleviate the risk of river pollution, utilising our in-house capabilities to provide additional added value for our clients.
Our history:
- 1865: Bethell & Sons is established as a public works contractor undertaking civil engineering projects in a rapidly expanding Manchester.
- 1967: Tim Kilroe Snr. establishes The Kilroe Group as a specialist tunnelling contractor, operating nationwide.
- 1991: The Kilroe Group acquires Bethell & Sons Limited, later changing their name to Bethell Construction Ltd.
- 2023: Bethell Group officially re-establishes it’s Shaft Sinking and Tunnelling division, utilising key tunnelling experience already in the business.
No-Dig Solutions
Our No-Dig Solutions team work with water authorities to deliver network improvements, alleviating the risk of river pollution, which can involve shaft sinking, tunnelling and other no-dig solutions.
The initial focus for this new business stream will be the delivery of key works in United Utilities (UU) Major Capital Projects that Bethell has recently secured.
Due to the importance of this work, we will aim to self-deliver and strengthen our overall offering for water authorities, providing a competitive solution in the marketplace.
Where we are today:
We are currently in Year 4 of two 10-year United Utilities frameworks, including the award of three major contracts in Bury, Preston and Kendal.
Bethell will be working with the United Utilities Better Rivers Project Team on an ECI basis, where they are looking to bring forward £200m of AMP8 schemes to be delivered from 2025 to 2027, with an additional £900m of AMP8 schemes to be delivered by the end of 2030.
Ready to discuss your shaft sinking requirements?
Our No-Dig Solutions team are ready to discuss your shaft sinking and tunnelling requirements, and how we can use our in-house expertise best to get your project off the ground!