Photo Thames Water
Reports in the New Civil Engineer suggest that Thames Water is reviewing the scope of work for the £2 billion London Tideway Tunnels scheme to reduce costs. Consideration is being given to cutting the length of the 32km Thames Tunnel that currently ends at Beckton Sewage Treatment Works. Instead it would be diverted to join the Lee Tunnel which would then need to be increased in diameter.Work on the Lee Tunnel is due to start early in 2010 to ensure the work is completed before the Olympics start. Murphy/Hochtief and Morgan Est/Vinci/Bachy Soletanche joint ventures are currently vying for the £430m Lee Tunnel contract.
It is disconcerting to see that the scope of this project has not yet been frozen. Getting the scope right is absolutely essential to delivering the project on budget and time. It is the biggest single project in the water industry and given its location will be under huge public scrutiny. It seems incomprehensible that alternative route options weren’t fully explored at a much earlier point in the project. It does not inspire confidence for stakeholders and especially the general public if on the eve of awarding a £430m contract the most basic aspects of the design have still not been agreed.
The blog is pleased to publish this comment from London Tideway Tunnels:
ReplyDeleteThe NCE story is wrong. Here's our response to it:
It’s a matter of record that we continue to look at all viable options for the route of the proposed Thames Tunnel.
In line with the direction we have received from Government, we are working to develop a scheme to intercept the 34 most-polluting combined sewer overflows discharging to the tidal River Thames. It is imperative that we do this at a cost that represents best value for money for our customers.
As we progress the tunnel’s outline design, we have repeatedly stressed that nothing is ruled in or out.
No scenario would result in an increase to the size of the Lee Tunnel, which is subject to its own planning approval process.
We remain on track to start work on the Lee Tunnel early next year. As planned for some time now, we will announce the preferred bidder before the end of the year.
We are determined to make sure we appoint the contractor best qualified to design and construct the Lee Tunnel at a competitive price.
Nick Tennant
Communications Manager
London Tideway Tunnels Delivery Team