NINE ELMS SOUTH BANK CABLE TUNNEL NAMED BEST INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT IN LONDON BY THE ICE

PRESS RELEASE: The COWI-designed Nine Elms South Bank Cable Tunnel won the Best Infrastructure Award at the 2018 ICE London Civil Engineering Awards on 24 May 2019.

25.05.2018

The complex project involved the design and build of a spur tunnel and connection chamber into an existing 132kV cable tunnel in the Battersea Nine Elms regeneration opportunity area. Constructed in close proximity to rail lines and utilities, the new bored tunnel connects to an existing wedge-block cable tunnel, 20m below ground level.

COWI's bespoke internal steel strapping system supported the existing wedge-block cable tunnel during connection to the new tunnel, reducing the risk of tunnel movement and potential cable damage, while an existing building was modified to act as acoustic shed as works ran 24hrs for a year.

They created a sense of ‘one team’ that the judges thought was seriously impressive.

Judges' comment

COWI was the contractor's permanent and temporary works designers for the project; led by UK Power Networks, and undertaken in partnership with Alliance contractor Clancy Docwra and tunnelling specialists Joseph Gallagher Ltd.

Presenting the team with the award at a prestigious ceremony at the ICE, former Tomorrow's World host Maggie Philbin relayed the judges' comments:

"This project was chosen as not only did this relatively young team overcome some significant technical challenges, which they solved with some innovative design and construction techniques, but they delivered a key piece of infrastructure to a much-needed part of London. This was done with an exemplary safety record, with a sensitive approach to managing noise and disruption to the local community, they engaged the local school throughout the project, and created a sense of ‘one team’ that the judges thought was seriously impressive."