Silvertown Tunnel cost rises

An investment programme report, to be presented to a meeting of Transport for London’s Programmes and Investment Committee tomorrow, says good progress has been made on excavation and tunnelling, but costs have risen.

Higher than anticipated inflationary pressures in 2022/23?, particularly around land purchases and “resource”, have added approximately £4m? to the estimated final cost (EFC), and the agreed Safe Stop during the first Covid 19 lockdown has also had an impact.

The report says also identifies other potential financial risks.

“Significant risks around land compensation and ground conditions remain and if these were to materialise, it may have a significant impact on the EFC,” it says.

Ongoing materials and skilled labour shortages have also pushed the end date back by 20 days.

Tunnelling started at the end of August. Last month the Riverlinx consortium reported the 82m-long TBM had reached the River Thames, having bored more than 210m and installed 102 rings. It started its first journey on the north side of the river in Newham. When it reaches North Greenwich it will be turned around in the rotation chamber to complete the second drive for the 1.4km twin-bore tunnel.

The Riverlinx Construction JV (CJV), a partnership between Bam Nuttall, Ferrovial Construction and SK Ecoplant, is completing the Silvertown Tunnel design and construction works. The Riverlinx Consortium, comprising Abrdn, Invesis, Cintra, Macquarie Capital and SK Ecoplant, is delivering the project through a design, build, finance, operate and maintain contract.