First 3km of London’s ‘super sewer’ complete

The first three kilometres of London’s Tideway “super sewer” are now complete and the project is on track to be delivered by 2024, according to the company.

Tideway’s 2018/19 annual report reveals that the first three kilometres of the tunnel, which will prevent millions of tonnes of sewage polluting the Thames, have now been constructed and four giant tunnelling machines are currently digging deep below the capital as work continues.

In April, the firm said the revised cost of the project now stands at £3.8 billion, compared to the original estimate of £3.52 billion, after completing the “first and most unpredictable” phase of the work.

But the company added at the time there will be no change to the estimated £20-£25 annual cost for Thames Water bill payers as “costs remain will within the original projection for customer charges”.

The annual report also reveals details of Tideway’s river transport plan which aims to reduce the project’s carbon footprint as well as reducing road safety risks and taking pressure off London’s road network.

It is taking around 200 lorry journeys off the road each day by using the river to transport material. More than one million tonnes of material have now been transported by river, saving more than 115,000 HGV movements.

Trials undertaken by Tideway have shown using the river can produce significantly fewer emissions, with a 1,000 tonne barge producing an average of 90 per cent less carbon dioxide than a standard HGV equivalent.

“Building the super sewer for London is a huge responsibility and one that we are proud to have,” said chairman, Sir Neville Simms.

I am very pleased with the progress our team has made this year – from the health, safety and wellbeing of our people, to the construction of the tunnel itself. We have made this progress whilst always considering our impact on London’s environment and its communities. We look forward to making significant headway underground in the year ahead.”

Tideway’s annual report also reveals more than 100 apprentices have taken up positions on the Thames Tideway Tunnel project.

A cohort of 12 tunnelling apprentices have started working across the project, in the first tunnelling apprenticeship of its kind in the industry.

Through a partnership with the Construction Youth Trust, Tideway has also worked with around 7,000 young people in London schools to highlight the range of careers available in construction.

Tideway’s chief executive, Andy Mitchell added: “With work on the tunnel in full swing, and a continued focus on keeping people safe, our operations this summer will see a major increase in our river traffic.

“By transporting at least 90 per cent of our tunnelling material by river instead of on the road, we are reducing our carbon footprint, as well as reducing road safety risks in London – two key issues for the capital. We are confident our work will lead the way in how businesses in future consider sustainable options for transporting goods and materials.”