BACK TO THE START:
The front section of tunnel boring machine Dorothy has been dismantled and moved back to the northern end of the Long Itchington Wood Tunnel in Warwickshire. Breakthrough at the southern end of the first of the twin bores to be excavated took place in July. The front of the TBM, including its 10-metre diameter cutting head, weighing 160 tonnes, was placed upright onto a self-propelled 48-wheel trailer for its night-time return on September 21 to where its journey began. The TBM’s tail skin was also moved during the same operation. The 2.5-mile trip took three hours. Eight other large pieces had been previously moved by road, while the rest was moved back through the tunnel. Dorothy will be reassembled to begin work on the second bore later this year.