Tunnelling works continue at Homs Road car park

Tunnelling works as part of the multi-million pound Ross Flood Alleviation Scheme are to be carried out on a 24-hour basis for a period of eight weeks.

Problems with the "teeth" on the 50m long tunnelling machine not being able to cope with the variable quality of the rock underground, mean the scheme is a little behind schedule.

Contractor Morgan Est has agreed to carry out 24-hour working, starting this week, to recover some of the lost time.

Martin Jackson, Herefordshire Council's project manager, said: "We have looked at alternatives to 24-hour working but have found this will be the best method of making up the lost time and ensuring the works are completed as near to the contract date at the end of September," he added.

Noise limits for night-time working have been written into Morgan Est's contract and no work will take place on Saturday or Sunday nights.

Herefordshire Council will monitor noise levels outside normal working hours to ensure compliance with the limits set.

Additional measures will be taken to reduce noise, including toning down alarms on the crane as far as safety will permit and keeping vehicle movements on the surface to a minimum. An acoustic fence is being erected alongside the brook to further lessen any noise.

Any residents concerned about the scheme are asked to call Martin Jackson on 01432 261723 or Wayne Musa, site agent for Edmund Nuttall, on 07824 848122.

On Thursday (May 15) at 5pm, members from the Hereford and Worcester branch of the Institution of Civil Engineers are visiting the Ross flood alleviation scheme.

ICE members will be given an insight into the background of the scheme, its technical aspects and the construction of the works and will have a guided tour of the site.