Joint venture partners Morgan Est, VINCI Construction Grands Projets and Bachy Soletanche (MVB) – three of the country’s leading civil engineering contractors, have been named as preferred partner to deliver the Lee Tunnel in East London for Thames Water worth over £400 million.
The project involves the construction of a seven metre internal diameter storage/transfer tunnel, which is approximately 6,900 metres long, from Abbey Mills Pumping Station to Beckton Sewage Treatment Works. Works include the construction of two, 25 metre internal diameter shafts and one 20 metre shaft (two at Beckton and one at Abbey Mills) and a 38 metre diameter off-line Tideway Pumping Station Shaft. The works will also include the furnishing and installation of the pumping equipment, as well as the necessary automatic actions for the management of the effluents and their lift to 80 metres.
Once complete the tunnel will improve the quality of water flowing into the River Thames and its tributaries by intercepting storm sewage flows which currently discharge into the River Lee.
Chris Hughes, Joint Venture Board Director for MVB, said: “The tunnel and associated shafts are to be constructed between 65 metres to 75 metres below ground level. The joint venture was formed to bring the best skills and construction expertise to bear on this challenge. This contract is a significant win and it demonstrates Thames Water’s faith in the joint venture’s ability to deliver the first stage of the Thames Tideway programme.”
Work will start in April 2010 and the tunnel will be complete by the end of 2014 to comply with the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive set by the European Union.
Notes to the editor:
Morgan Est is a leading UK provider of infrastructure services across the public and private sector. The business specialises in the design and delivery of complex engineering projects and provides specialist tunnelling, utilities, civil engineering and mechanical and electrical services to the water, transport and energy sectors. It is part of top UK construction and regeneration group Morgan Sindall plc which operates through five divisions of fit out, construction, infrastructure services, affordable housing and urban regeneration, which are supported by two specialist units of investments and professional services.
Media Contact:
Charlotte Mould, Communications Officer, Morgan Est, Tel: 01788 538759, email: charlotte.mould@morganest.com