Barhale is to build a 10.5m diameter, 16m deep shaft providing 770m³ of additional storage for Severn Trent Water's Silverdale project in Newcastle-under-Lyme, near Stoke-on-Trent, in the UK.

The £9.5M scheme aims to strengthen improve the water quality in local watercourses by providing additional stormwater storage and upgraded pumping capacity, reducing intermittent discharges from the combined sewer network during periods of heavy rainfall.

The shaft will be constructed within a cofferdam and underpinned to manage high perched water levels and loose ground.

Barhale, a civil engineering, infrastructure and tunnelling company, will also upgrade the existing pumping station, construct a new pumping station and deliver full MEICA works. New access to the site from the main road will be completed as Section 278 works.

The Silverdale project is part of an extensive multi-site water infrastructure improvement programme taking place across Stoke which includes new shafts to provide additional stormwater overflow capacity at Etruria Vale and Lower Oxford Road.

The works are being delivered within Severn Trent's WINEP programme – an initiative focused on reducing intermittent discharges from Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) and improving the health of local watercourses.

According to Rob Chattoe, Contracts Manager at Barhale, the scheme will make a substantial difference to how the network performs during storm conditions.

"The additional storage and upgraded infrastructure will help reduce pressure on the system and support better environmental outcomes for local communities," he said.

"We are pleased to be extending our remit with Severn Trent across Stoke and we look forward to working closely together to deliver another positive outcome."

Completion is expected in early 2028.