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Drilling Operations Set to Begin at Hailey Park in Cardiff
Concerns have arisen regarding upcoming drilling activities at Hailey Park in north Cardiff, which are set to commence later this month. The development of a pumping station at the park has been a contentious issue, leading to tension between local residents and Welsh Water.
Although plans for the pumping station were initially approved in 2022, the start of drilling has faced numerous delays and a legal challenge that impacted the timeline. Earlier this year, work was scheduled to resume but was hindered by the unavailability of necessary machinery.
Welsh Water has now been granted permission for 24/7 drilling operations, expected to begin towards the end of September. The company anticipates that the works related to the wastewater pipe will take approximately five weeks to complete. This station will be responsible for pumping sewage from the prospective 7,000-home Plasdwr housing development across the River Taff on Llantrisant Road to an existing sewage system, which will transport the sewage to the Cardiff Wastewater Treatment Works.
Local activist Ian Vincent, associated with Save Hailey Park, expressed concerns about the implications of continuous drilling on local residents, particularly related to noise and vibration disturbances. He noted that previous drilling activities have resulted in significant vibrations affecting nearby homes.
Vincent also raised broader concerns about Cardiff’s sewer infrastructure, which he described as “Victorian and ancient,” emphasising that it may not be capable of managing the increased wastewater influx from the new housing development. He warned that if the system becomes overwhelmed, it could lead to environmental repercussions, including the potential release of diluted sewage into local waterways.
In response to community concerns, a Welsh Water spokesperson reported that the company has sought permission to undertake 24-hour tunnelling beneath Hailey Park and Danescourt for a duration of up to five weeks. To mitigate noise concerns, measures such as acoustic noise barriers and continuous noise monitoring will be implemented to minimise disruption.
Following the completion of tunnelling operations, the project will proceed to its final construction phase, expected to wrap up by the end of July 2027. After construction, site facilities will be removed, and restoration of the park area will commence, with some seasonal works continuing as weather permits.
