After eight years of construction, the £5 billion Thames Tideway Tunnel in London has reached completion, representing a significant step in addressing sewage pollution along a section of the River Thames. The 25km-long super sewer, designed to mitigate the impact of storm sewage spills, is expected to substantially reduce pollution levels once operational.
Despite its completion, tourists will never have the opportunity to traverse the tunnel, as its primary function is to manage sewage flow. Tens of millions of tonnes of storm sewage currently overflow into the River Thames annually, causing environmental concerns. However, with the implementation of the Thames Tideway Tunnel, these spills are projected to be significantly reduced, if not eliminated.
The final piece of the tunnel, a massive 1,200-tonne concrete lid, was recently installed atop a deep shaft at Abbey Mills Pumping Station in Stratford, east London. Andy Mitchell, Chief Executive of Tideway, expressed pride in the accomplishment, highlighting the dedication of the teams involved in the project. He emphasized that while there is still work to be done, the completion of the underground civil engineering marks a crucial milestone for both the Tideway project and the city of London.
The tunnel, comprising a main tunnel, a connection tunnel in southeast London, and a tunnel in southwest London, spans a total of 15.5 miles (25km). The completion of the Abbey Mills shaft, the deepest point of the project at 70m, represents a significant engineering feat. The lid installation, executed with precision over five hours, is considered the heaviest lift in the project’s history.
Robert Ricketts, Tideway’s Project Manager at Abbey Mills Pumping Station, commended the collaborative effort required for the successful completion of the manoeuvre. As the project progresses, storm sewage flows are expected to be diverted into the tunnel during the summer, with continued construction and landscaping work along its route.
The construction of the Thames Tideway Tunnel coincides with alarming statistics regarding sewage pollution in England. According to data published by the Environment Agency, storm overflows dumped sewage into rivers and seas for over 3.6 million hours in 2023, a significant increase from previous years. These figures underscore the urgency of projects like the Thames Tideway Tunnel in combating environmental pollution and safeguarding natural ecosystems
