The piling works were due to be completed this week but were put on hold when the team spotted an old flint wall at the edge of the excavation for the preparatory works. We called in some archaeologists to take a look and assess the findings. Norfolk heritage records indicate it to be the remnants of an old drainage mill, possibly from the 19th century but we'll wait for the archaeological report to verify this. In the meantime, the team have moved the excavation and the planned location of the piles away from the wall to avoid causing any damage. The piling has been rescheduled for the week beginning Monday 13th July, pending the outputs of the archaeologist's report.

Works are starting this week on site establishment, setting up a welfare area within the grounds of the pumping station and preparing for the piling works which are due to start in the week commencing 29th June. The piling will create a foundation to support the new control kiosk and there will be three piles installed. The work will be done during normal working hours and is expected to last a maximum of two days. There is likely to be some intermittent percussive noise while the piles are driven in (similar to the ground investigation borehole works that were done in January). Our installation team will aim to keep any disturbance to a minimum and the piling technique chosen for this job is 'bottom driven' which is a much quieter method than traditional top hammering techniques.

Site establishment will begin at Belaugh in a couple of weeks' time (from Monday 15th June). The welfare and storage area will be set up at the Pumping Station site. At the river, preparations will be made for the piling works which we expect will start towards the end of June. More details will follow when the dates are confirmed.

We're expecting to start on site in the next few weeks and in the lead up to this our contract team have been working hard to finalise the designs. They have provided a 3D model to give you an idea of what the final installation will look like (click on the thumbnail picture to see an expanded view). You can see on the model the three cylindrical screens underwater, the floating boom in front of the screens to separate them from passing river traffic and the kiosk that will house the rest of the equipment.

As mentioned in my previous update, our projects have been reviewed taking into account the benefits as well as our ability to deliver them safely and this project has been given approval to proceed. Although the main driver for the Eel Screens Programme is regulatory we are also replacing the existing outdated screening systems, for the Belaugh project this means that there will be a significant improvement in the resilience of the supplies to over 51,000 properties in Norfolk and Suffolk.

Our works will take place in line with the government guidance on social distancing and sanitation. Any part of the works that cannot be carried out within the guidelines will be postponed until the situation changes or will be redesigned for safe delivery. We would also appreciate it if you would remain at a safe distance from the site team while the work is underway.

The schedule of the works has already been affected which has delayed the start and it is also likely that the overall timescale will be longer than originally planned to enable us to work within these new rules. The works are still in the planning stage but we expect to start on site soon, probably in late May or early June. I’ll be posting more updates as the project progresses.

If you would like more information about Essex & Suffolk Water’s works and services in relation to Covid-19 please take a look at our main website, I’ve included some useful links below.

ESW Website, COVID-19 General Information and Advice:

https://www.eswater.co.uk/help/covid-19/

ESW Website, Essex & Suffolk Water’s COVID-19 response:

https://www.eswater.co.uk/help/essex-and-suffolk-water-covid19-response-information/

Covid-19 Update:

Following the latest government advice, projects are currently under review to ensure that only essential works are carried out. As the site works have not yet commenced for this project there are no immediate impacts.  We will continue working on plans and designs but it is likely that the start on site will be delayed. Further updates will be issued when more information is available.

Project progress update in relation to Covid-19:

Currently the project is progressing and we are continuing to plan with the expectation of starting on site in the next few weeks. We will continue to monitor government advice and will provide updates via this portal if anything changes.

Work has started this week on replacing the old fencing around the intake site, see the before and after photos below.  These works are expected to be completed next week.

We've been making good progress carrying out non-intrusive surveys in preparation for the start of the construction works and are planning next week to undertake a ground investigation survey which will involve a small rig being brought to site to drill a hole into the ground by the intake.  This survey is to check the ground conditions in preparation for the installation of the control kiosk, several soil samples will be taken at different depths.  The surveying is planned to start on Monday 27th January, it will be done during normal working hours and is expected to last a maximum of two days.  There is likely to be some intermittent percussive noise while the borehole is being drilled, it may take up to 30 minutes to drill for each sample but there will be breaks in the drilling while the sample material is collected.  Our contract team will aim to keep any disturbance to a minimum.

To provide safe access to site for the plant and equipment we will be temporarily installing traffic lights on the main B1354 Coltishall Road, just for the duration of the survey.  Vehicles will access and exit the Belaugh site via Back Lane as described on the Traffic Information tab of this website.  The traffic management will be removed after the survey works and will only be reinstated when it is required for the main construction works.

We've recently undertaken a similar survey on our River Waveney site in Suffolk, so please take a look at the attached photos for reference.

The following week (Monday 3rd February) work will start on replacing the stock fence around the site.  This should have minimal impact in terms of people and vehicles and the work is planned to take 1.5 weeks.

Hi everyone,

We're planning to carry out a survey of the Belaugh pumping station and intake sites and the adjacent field this week using a drone (weather permitting).  I'd just like to reassure you all that the drone will be operated by our experienced, licenced operator and it will be programmed specifically to capture images relevant to the site works, no residential properties or land will be included in the survey or stored.

If you have any queries please feel free to get in touch via the comments below.