Case Study

Cleaning the Thames: Delivering Multi-Phase Tunnelling for Tideway West

The Thames Tideway Tunnel is a major infrastructure project designed to prevent the overflow of untreated sewage into the River Thames. The West Section, managed by the Balfour Beatty–Morgan Sindall–BAM Nuttall Joint Venture (BMB), is a critical component of this 25km “super-sewer.”

Since 2017, Tunnelcraft has been an integral partner on this section, supporting a variety of complex drives. This includes a massive 7.5km main drive using an 8m Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) TBM, a 1,100m secondary drive with a 3m Lovat TBM, and 300m of Sprayed Concrete Lining (SCL) connection tunnels.

Client

Tideway

Main Contractor

Balfour Beatty / Morgan Sindall / Bam Nuttall 

Duration

2017 – Ongoing

Tunnel Information

1 x 8m OD EPB TBM 7.5km drive / 1 x 3m Lovat TBM 1100m drive / SCL Connection tunnel 300m / In-situ secondary lining

Testimonial

“Tunnelcraft has supported the joint venture throughout tunnelling – they bring experienced, trained personnel to the project however it is the support and management that makes them stand out from many suppliers.”

They have been instrumental in supporting the project with tunnel apprentices, Women in Construction and careers fairs and this is on top of the training that they provide. They truly believe in making the industry an inclusive place and in my own experience this sets them aside from many suppliers”

Sally Cox

Project Director – Thames Tideway Tunnel (West Section)