Where is it?
Within the existing Southern Water site at Portobello, Telscombe, alongside the A259 coast road.
How long will you be working here?
Works started at the Portobello Pumping Station site on the July 27, 2009 with a completion date set for summer 2011.
What work is being done here?
We will be excavating the ground to construct the pumping station building below current ground level so that once finished, the reinstated ground level will be similar to existing levels.
We will be sinking two shafts on the site. The pumping station shaft will be 18m diameter sunk to a depth of approximately 34m.
This will ultimately receive wastewater flows from the west along the tunnel being constructed from Brighton Marina. These flows will be lifted within the shaft and transferred into the new tunnel being constructed between Portobello Pumping Station and the wastewater treatment works at Peacehaven.
The second shaft will receive the tunnel boring machine (TBM) from the Peacehaven Wastewater Treatment Works.
We will then be constructing a building over the top of the shafts to house the machinery associated with the pumping station.
What are the working hours?
07h00 to 19h00 Monday to Friday
07h00 to 13h00 on Saturdays.
How will you access the site?
Access to the site will be the existing access to the Portobello site from the A259 coast road.
How will I be affected by the works?
We will need to temporarily divert the footway alongside the A259 to enable the wall bordering the site to be removed. This will be reinstated in due course. As it is a construction site there will inevitably be an increase on existing noise levels. Noise levels will be carefully monitored and managed throughout the works to ensure they are within the limits set by East Sussex County Council as part of the planning permission for the site.
What will we see in the first few weeks?
On July 27 we will started to clear the site of reptiles. This will continue for a four-week period.
Towards the end of August/beginning of July we shall then prepare the site ready for the start of construction works.
The first works will involve the diversion of the existing access road slightly to the south to accommodate the construction works, followed by the excavation of the footprint for the pumping station building, prior to the sinking of the shafts.
How will the site be reinstated at the end of the works?
The existing boundary wall to the east of the main site entrance will be replaced with a brick and flint wall. The site will be reinstated to similar ground levels and the roof of the pumping station will be grassed. It is also proposed to undertake some other improvements to the site as part of the scheme.
Will it be safe for members of the public to walk past the site?
Southern Water and 4Delivery regard the safety of the public and the workforce as the highest priority and safe working practices will be adopted at all times. All works will be fully contained within barriers and any changes to pedestrian routes will be clearly marked.
You are asked to take care in the vicinity of the works and particularly to advise children of the dangers of playing near our works, not only while work is in progress, but also outside working hours.
