Topic People, Projects
Date 24 May 2023
Florence and the tunnelling machine should watch out, there’s a new drill on the block! Meet the ‘Marvellous Mining Molly, that will be tunnelling under the streets of Stroud as part of a £25m project for Severn Water.
Molly will upgrade the sewer network in the town, installing over two miles of new pipes to upgrade old Victorian sewers in the town.
The tunnelling machine was named by year six pupil Molly Forsyth from Bisley Blue Coat School, who won a competition to name the state-of-the-art machine, which, when fully assembled, stands at four meters long, uses 150-180kws of power when operating.
Marvellous Mining Molly was lowered into the ground just off the Eberly Bypass in the Ryeford area of Stroud last week and will be used to install concrete pipes that will form part of a new sewer network. She will tunnel underneath the Eberly Bypass laying 60m of concrete pipe until it reaches the reception shaft.
Using equipment like Molly significantly reduces disruption to customers by tunnelling underground, and also allows completion of work as quickly and as safely as possible.
Commenting on the competition, pupil Molly said: "Our teacher Mr Hall set us a competition to design and name a digging machine. I was so surprised and excited to win. It was great seeing the machine up close with my name on before it went underground."
Arezoo Ilbeygi, Delivery Business Lead at Severn Trent, said: “We’re really excited about the progress we’re making with our project in Stroud, and we’re looking forward to seeing Molly in action over the next few weeks. Our project in Stroud is one of the biggest investments we’re making over the coming years, and it will bring huge benefits to the area, as well as the environment.”