Production of more than 9,000 precast tunnel segments has begun as part of the Silvertown Tunnel project.
The segments are being cast by Banagher Precast Concrete at the company's facility in Ireland. They will be transported to the East London site later in the coming months ready for when tunnelling begins.
The Silvertown Tunnel involves the construction of a twin-bore road tunnel providing a new connection between the A102 Blackwall Tunnel Approach on Greenwich Peninsula, and the Tidal Basin Roundabout junction on the A1020 Lower Lea Crossing/Silvertown Way.
Main works contractor Riverlinx CJV, a joint venture between Bam Nuttall, Ferrovial Construction and SK Ecoplant, is currently preparing the site for the start of tunnelling.
The launch chamber for the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) has been excavated ahead of tunnelling. Parts for what will be the UK’s largest ever TBM started to arrive on site in London shortly before Christmas.
Riverlinx and TfL has vowed to carry out the construction of the tunnel as sustainably as possible.
Working closely with Riverlinx the team at Banagher developed a concrete mix containing 40% GGBS (ground granulated blast furnace slag which is a recycled by-product of steel) giving an automatic carbon saving of 40% per unit.
In late 2021 Banagher installed 1,000 PV solar panels over their production halls which to date produces approximately 30% of their energy requirements, the remaining power required for production is from another renewable source, Airtricity, ensuring net zero energy consumption for the manufacturing of the tunnel segments.
The production halls are also insulated, maturity computers measure strength gain and only light covers over the precast moulds are required for moisture loss and to gain strengths, this combination eliminates the requirement for energy hungry processes such as heat or steam curing.
Riverlinx has also hired Keltbray to run its environmental services contract to ensure that sustainable construction techniques are being implemented onsite.
Keltbray has already begun removing construction waste from the Silvertown Tunnel project by barge as part of the contract. Barges will transport at least 55%t of all beneficial reuse excavated materials associated with the project by river, considerably reducing the total number of lorry movements.
Despite efforts to use sustainable construction methods, the tunnel has caused controversy since its inception with opponents claiming that its construction will lead to higher levels of pollution in the area.
In April last year, a group of 52 academics and campaigners called for an “emergency review” to be carried out to determine if the East London project is in line with the UK’s climate change objectives.
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