Utility Week

22 | 16TH - 22ND NOVEMBER 2018 | UTILITY WEEK Operations & Assets Analysis T he Thames Tideway Tunnel is the big- gest infrastructure project the UK water sector has ever seen. Dubbed the "super-sewer", the project involves build- ing a 25km tunnel under the River Thames to help tackle the problem of overflows from the capital's Victorian sewers and protect the river from rising pollution for at least the next 100 years. Needless to say, it is an exciting project, and one which has earned its "super-sewer" moniker, according to Tideway engineer Gareth Thomas. He says it is an enormous undertaking on a scale not seen in Europe before. When complete, the sewer will inter- cept vast volumes of storm sewage, forming a strategic artery to enhance the operation of London's sewer network and the quality of the River Thames for generations to come. But excavating such a huge tunnel through one of the busiest cities in the world is a tough task. Keeping the noise down for a wide range of neighbours, working with utility and transport companies to avoid any interference with their networks, and operat- ing in an environmentally friendly way are just some of the challenges facing Tideway. Utility Week took a trip along the Thames to see the progress being made and discover how Tideway is overcoming the many obstacles it is encountering. Working along the River Thames Eleven of the project's 24 sites are based on the foreshore of the River Thames. Some of these have required building out into the river, to give Tideway the space it needs for its construction works. The cofferdam built into the river to build the sha in Bermondsey is complete. Mean- while, the construction of cofferdams at Blackfriars, Victoria Embankment, Chelsea Embankment, Albert Embankment and King Edward Memorial Park continues. Aer con- struction is complete these areas will provide seven new areas of public realm along the river, creating new areas of land where Lon- doners and visitors can get closer to the River Thames. Tideway's work so far has also included strengthening the river wall and building new docks to allow barges to reach the sites to bring materials in and take away spoil during tunnelling. Creating a new generation of engineers and construction workers At the peak of construction, 4,000 people will be working on the Thames Tideway Tun- nel. One of Tideway's priorities is ensuring it has enough skilled operatives to work on such a large infrastructure project. One in 50 jobs will be an apprenticeship. Tideway challenges Utility Week meets Tideway – the company building London's super-sewer – and hears how it is overcoming the challenges of the project.

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