A giant tunnel boring machine helping to deliver a major new water project in Warwickshire has been named by local pupils after Severn Trent held a naming competition at Corley Academy.

Students at the special educational needs school named the project's tunnel boring machine (TBM) ‘Dolly’ before it was lowered into position at a nearby site earlier this month, where it started its journey underground.

Teams from Severn Trent and its partners, Forkers and Active Tunnelling, are working together to install a new 16km mega pipe that will connect reservoirs in Meriden and Oldbury, enabling millions more litres of water to be moved around the network each day.

The TBM, now named Dolly, will help create the route for a huge 1,200mm diameter pipe underground, while minimising disruption above ground. 

The Oldbury to Meriden project forms part of Severn Trent's £50m wider investment programme to improve water network resilience across the region, with around 70km of new mega pipeline being laid across the Midlands to help meet future demand and prepare for the impacts of climate change.

Katie Garraton, Project Manager at Severn Trent, said: “This project is one of the most significant water infrastructure schemes currently taking place in the Midlands, and it's great to see local young people playing a part in its story from the very beginning.

“Projects of this scale can sometimes feel distant from the communities around them, so giving pupils the chance to name the TBM was a great way to create a lasting connection. 

“We're especially pleased they chose a name that celebrates the talented women helping to deliver this project, and we look forward to sharing Dolly's journey with the students as work continues through to completion in spring 2028.” 

Justin Boustouller, Framework Manager at Forkers said: “It has been fantastic to engage the pupils of Corley Academy in a project that is rooted in their local community and will deliver lasting benefits for generations to come. By launching our TBM naming competition, we gave the pupils an opportunity to showcase their creativity, artistic talents and imagination, while helping them feel part of a landmark infrastructure project taking shape on their doorstep.

“Following the successful TBM launch, we are looking forward to returning to Corley Academy on December 9, alongside the Severn Trent Education team and the Oldbury to Meriden Integrated Project Team, to bring the project to life for the pupils and inspire the next generation to learn more about the engineering and innovation shaping their communities.

“At Forkers, we believe every project is about more than the work we deliver, the plant we operate or the infrastructure we help build. It is about the people behind it, the communities we work alongside and the partnerships we build along the way. Engaging with local schools is a powerful reminder that our greatest achievements come through teamwork, shared values and a collective commitment to doing things the right way - leaving a positive legacy that extends far beyond the project itself.”

For more updates on the project, visit Severn Trent's planned improvements page at www.stwater.co.uk/in-my-area/planned-improvements/oldbury-to-meriden-warwickshire/