Lovat TBM Breaks Through High Wycombe Sewage TunnelThe final breakthrough of a 3,295 m-long 2.85 m-diameter tunnel near Little Marlow in the UK took place on 12th January. An 80-tonne TBM, which started boring the tunnel from Thames Water's High Wycombe Sewage Treatment Works, broke through to its destination in Sheepridge Lane. The best production was drilling 64 m in 24 hours and 259 m in five days. Work began in May last year. Amec used a Lovat EPB TBM to drive the tunnel in chalk. A 15-man crew has been operating the machine at depths of 90 m below the surface. The tunnel has been lined by trapezoidal segments manufactured and supplied by CV Buchan. A pipeline will now be laid in the tunnel which will allow sewage from High Wycombe to be diverted to Little Marlow in Church Road for treatment. A second pipe will return treated water along the route so it can continue to maintain flows in the River Wye. Visit www.lovat.com, www.thameswateruk.co.uk, www.amec.com and www.cvbuchan.co.uk 05/04.