Leading public services provider Amey has successfully completed phase one of two enabling works on the South West Storm Relief Sewer as part of London Underground's highly-anticipated Northern Line Extension (NLE), targeted for completion in 2020.
Undertaken on behalf of FLO – a Ferrovial Agroman and Laing O'Rourke joint venture – the works saw Amey design and install eight articulation joints along a 55m section of the sewer, which will allow it to flex during the excavation and construction phases of the extension's 5.2m-diameter running tunnels.
The works also required the diversion of flow to provide safe and adequate access and egress for operatives, materials and equipment.
The project was completed in advance of its 19-week schedule, meaning work on the excavation and construction phases could take place earlier than expected.
Kevin Fowlie, Managing Director of Utilities at Amey, said: "We're proud to have delivered phase one of our enabling works on the Northern Line Extension, particularly as we did so ahead of schedule, demonstrating once again that Amey is an innovative contractor capable of delivering complex projects both reliably and efficiently.
"Our approach to these works was based on a methodology used on another successful project previously carried out by Amey on the North East Storm Relief Sewer. Drawing on our experience in this way ensured that we were able to minimise delays and support the project's wider schedule and performance indicators."
Jonathan Cooper, Project Manager NLE Tunnels & Utilities, added: "FLO and their sub-contractor Amey have worked incredibly hard to complete the articulation works to the South West Storm Relief Sewer from the Heathwall pumping station.
"It was only through closely working together that we achieved this safely and successfully."
The Northern Line Extension will help to regenerate the Vauxhall, Nine Elms and Battersea areas of London, supporting 25,000 new jobs and more than 20,000 new homes. Two new stations to be built at Nine Elms and Battersea Power Station are targeted for completion in 2020.
Phase two of Amey's enabling works are scheduled to start in 2018 – the scope of which will involve (if necessary) settlement remediation works.