Liverpool Bay CCS Limited's (LBCCS) Engineering, Procurement and Construction contractor, United Infrastructure (UI) began shaft excavations on both sides of the Shropshire Union Canal on Thursday 15 January 2026. These are part of the preparatory works for the Main Onshore Pipeline's (the Pipeline) microtunnelling programme beneath the Shropshire Union Canal. Once complete, these shafts will serve as key access points, enabling microtunnelling works.
As a result, you may notice increased activity at both sides of the canal, where the UI construction team are undertaking 'pre-augering'. This is a method of ground preparation which helps loosen the soil, making it easier for the shafts to be constructed.
Microtunnelling is a trenchless tunnelling technique that will bury the Pipeline deep beneath the ground, ensuring minimal disruption to key infrastructure, transport routes and environmentally sensitive areas.
Microtunnelling work occurs underground and will require working 24-hours a day to ensure the safety of the tunnel and the construction team. For the Shropshire Union Canal, these works are due to take place (subject to progress), from the week commencing 23 March 2026 and ending the week commencing 30 March 2026.
Future updates about the microtunnelling programme beneath the Shropshire Union Canal will be uploaded onto the HyNet Hub in advance.
If you have any questions about these works or would like more information, please contact the team by emailing hello@hynethub.co.uk or calling 0113 395 4495 (Monday to Friday between 9am to 5pm, except bank holidays).
As a result, you may notice increased activity at both sides of the canal, where the UI construction team are undertaking 'pre-augering'. This is a method of ground preparation which helps loosen the soil, making it easier for the shafts to be constructed.
About microtunnelling
Microtunnelling is a trenchless tunnelling technique that will bury the Pipeline deep beneath the ground, ensuring minimal disruption to key infrastructure, transport routes and environmentally sensitive areas.
Microtunnelling work occurs underground and will require working 24-hours a day to ensure the safety of the tunnel and the construction team. For the Shropshire Union Canal, these works are due to take place (subject to progress), from the week commencing 23 March 2026 and ending the week commencing 30 March 2026.
Future updates about the microtunnelling programme beneath the Shropshire Union Canal will be uploaded onto the HyNet Hub in advance.
If you have any questions about these works or would like more information, please contact the team by emailing hello@hynethub.co.uk or calling 0113 395 4495 (Monday to Friday between 9am to 5pm, except bank holidays).