Shropshire Star

Massive drill is a corker!

A giant drill is being used to sink concrete foundations into the site of Shrewsbury's new £28 million theatre.A giant drill is being used to sink concrete foundations into the site of Shrewsbury's new £28 million theatre. The huge corkscrew-like machine, which can be seen from hundreds of yards away, is burrowing deep into the ground at Frankwell installing piles. They will stabilise the landmark building when built. Experts decided to use the unusual piece of equipment instead of more conventional tools to cut down on noise, borough council spokesman Jon King said. Read the full story in the Shropshire Star

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The huge corkscrew-like machine, which can be seen from hundreds of yards away, is burrowing deep into the ground at Frankwell installing piles.

They will stabilise the landmark building when built.

Experts decided to use the unusual piece of equipment instead of more conventional tools to cut down on noise, borough council spokesman Jon King said.

"In the past if you wanted to put a building on land that needed securing you would use a pile-driver, which would be like banging huge nails into the ground and would make a loud sound.

"This is a different alternative and is a corkscrew which drives holes down into the ground."

Mr King said the Theatre Severn site, next to the River Severn, had no bedrock and therefore needed shoring up.

"In this instance the theatre's frame will sit on the tops of these piles and it stabilises the building.

"And the machine we are using is a lot quieter because you don't get the 'pang, pang' noise."

The entertainment venue is due to open in 2008 and will include a 650-seat main auditorium and a 250-seat studio theatre.

The name Theatre Severn was finally confirmed earlier this month following a row between councillors.