- Film of Cadent’s flagship project released to mark National Tunnelling Day
- Time lapse photography chronicles construction progress of the project to date
- The project will help ensure London remains one of the world’s leading cities
Never before seen footage of gas distribution company Cadent’s Tunnel Under the River Thames project has been released to mark National Tunnelling Day.
Using time lapse photography the film chronicles the construction process of the £18m project to date – including site establishment, shaft sinking and the digging of the tunnel itself by TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) Amanda.
The action unfolds against the backdrop of iconic London landmarks the Royal Hospital Chelsea, Battersea Park and the River Thames.
The new tunnel is 330m long with a diameter of 1.8m and has two 30m tunnel shafts, one in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea and the other in the grounds of Battersea Park.
Two 30m shafts were sunk earlier this year - one in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea and the other in Battersea Park. TBM Amanda – which was controlled by an above ground operator - then dug the 330m long tunnel in just 24 days.
The project team are now busy preparing the tunnel for the installation of the new gas pipe which will help keep the flourishing district – which includes the Battersea Power Station and Nine Elms development – connected to safe and reliable gas supplies for cooking and heating.
Project Manager Andrew Hejdner said: “Our new film gives people the chance to view some never before seen footage of what we’ve been up to deep below London.
“We thought releasing it today was a perfect way for us to mark National Tunnelling Day!”
The tunnel is due for completion in 2018. It forms a key part of Cadent’s essential £1billion programme to replace ageing gas infrastructure in the capital which will help ensure London has the infrastructure it needs to thrive as one of the world’s leading cities.
The project is being delivered by Cadent’s strategic partner tRIIO, which also includes contractors Skanska, Barhale and designers Mott Macdonald. The tunnel is part of Cadent’s £1billion investment in replacing ageing gas mains across the capital.
To view the film visit
https://vimeo.com/246247051
For more information on the project call 0800 389 8261 or
info@communityrelations.co.uk, for 24-hour operational enquiries please call 0800 096 5678.
Now in its third year National Tunnelling Day is organised by the British Tunnelling Society and provides an opportunity for the public to catch a glimpse of the world class infrastructure projects currently being delivered by tunnelling professionals across the country.
For more information on National Tunnelling Day visit https://www.britishtunnelling.org.uk/?sitecontentid=008E5F85-58A6-4270-8F26-4620FC3EBA1B