IT’S business as ususal again at Tynedale Golf Club after the near completion of a new £1.2m sewer network.

The scheme was needed after a pipe taking sewerage from Acomb to Hexham treatment works burst in spring last year.

A temporary pipe was laid overground, but work began in February to relay the sewer under the river and through Tyne Green park.

The work required tunnelling through part of Tynedale Golf Club and Tyne Green Park.

Northumbrian Water, working in partnership with the Environment Agency and Northumberland County Council, used tunnelling to avoid the need to dig up the golf course.

The club suffered some disruption to their normal activities on week days while the work was going on, but club chairman Brendan Murphy said it was kept to a minimum at weekends.

“Northumbrian Water was working with us every step of the way,” he said.

“We knew it needed to be done; it was just a case of trying to do the best possible under the circumstances.

“We hoped to get it finished before the start of the season, and it was a few weeks late, but now we’re up and running as usual for the rest of the season.”

Mike Ciaraldi, project manager for Northumbrian Water said: “We would like to thank Tynedale Golf Club, its members and other Tyne Green Park users for their patience and co-operation while we carried out this work.

“With the work now substantially complete, the golf club is now fully open for business for everyone to enjoy.

“By using tunnelling techniques we reduced the amount of time we needed to be at the club by approximately six weeks.

“It also meant the course would not need to be dug up and is still in great condition for golfers this spring.”

Mr Ciaraldi said that the only work that remains to be done now is the removal of the temporary pipe.