Work is due to start today (3 October) on drilling boreholes more than 80 metres deep as the first preparations for the new public venue on the Cattle Market site begin.
Specialist equipment will be used to drill two holes which will be between 80 and 100 metres deep. Each should take around five days to complete and will eventually be used to heat and cool the multi-purpose venue when work on the mixed use shopping, leisure and residential scheme is complete.
The holes will be tested after the drilling has taken place. This work, which will include connecting a temporary pipe between the bores to pump water out off one hole and down another, should be complete by the end of the month.
The borehole system provides an environmentally-friendly alternative to using fossil fuels. It is estimated that installing the technology will save St Edmundsbury Borough Council’s Taxpayers around £20,000 each year in energy and maintenance costs.
Cllr John Griffiths, Council Leader and Chairman of the Cattle Market Redevelopment Working Party, said:
“Using this progressive technology will benefit everyone. Not only does it represent best possible value for our Council Taxpayers, but also helps protect our environment for the future.”
Parts of the Cattle Market car park will be fenced off while work takes place.
ENDS
ISSUED BY LIZ HEARNSHAW, COMMUNICATIONS UNIT, ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Tel 01284 757033. liz.hearnshaw@stedsbc.gov.uk
