A new London Underground-sized tunnel is being built under South London – here’s what it is

A tunnel the scale of a tube practice is at present being dug under south London, between Wimbledon and Crayford.

No, it isn’t the new HS2, or a secret new tube line, it’s really a part of upgrades to the electrical energy provide throughout London.

The tunnel is a part of the London Power Tunnels challenge, and might be round 20 miles lengthy when works are accomplished, stories Ian Visits .

Once accomplished, the London Power Tunnels challenge will exchange the present maze of cables operating under London’s streets that are worn in and out want of alternative.

This is the second part of the London Power Tunnels challenge, following the success of the unique challenge, north of the Thames.

National Grid’s £1 billion challenge will see the rewiring of south London, powered by a tunnel boring machine which the workers have named ‘Edith’.

Minster for London, Paul Scully MP, formally inaugurated ‘Edith’, whose title was chosen to honour Edith Clarke, the primary feminine electrical engineer and pioneer, who used maths to enhance humanity’s understanding of energy transmission.

‘Edith’ was additionally blessed by a neighborhood non secular chief subsequent to a picture of Saint Barbara, the patron saint of underground employees. This is a practice carried out on tunnelling initiatives, to observe over and shield its employees, in response to London Power Tunnels .

Alice Delahunty, President of Electricity Transmission at National Grid, mentioned: “Our London Power Tunnels challenge is ensuring electrical energy reaches houses and companies in London safely, reliably and effectively.

“The arrival and launch of the TBM at New Cross is an thrilling milestone for this challenge, so I’m delighted that we’re capable of host an occasion to mark this event.

“A large quantity of labor has gone into making this doable, so I wish to thank everybody who has been concerned within the success of this challenge up to now, particularly because the challenge started initially of the pandemic.

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“Despite its challenges our engineers have been capable of ship this very important challenge and attain this milestone.”

Minister for London, Paul Scully, added: “As properly as protecting the lights on, the £1 billion funding by way of the London Power Tunnels challenge reveals the complete vary of London’s engineering expertise that is serving to to construct again higher from the pandemic.

“It was nice to smash the metaphorical champagne bottle throughout National Grid’s new 140-tonne tunnel boring machine, which is heavyweight tech for a heavyweight challenge, and I want it each success on its maiden voyage.”

Do you suppose the challenge is an thrilling challenge for London’s engineers? Let us know within the feedback part right here.

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