Tunneller to retire after 50 years in the business

Bermingham began his career 50 years ago in 1964 when he worked on the construction of the Victoria line from Green Park to Oxford Circus. Since then he has worked on more than 20 projects in and around London including the Jubilee line Extension, the Olympic Park and the King's Cross redevelopment.

"When I started out tunnelling back in 1964, I never thought that I'd still be doing it 50 years later," said Bermingham. "It's the camaraderie and the spirit among the lads that's kept me in the industry for so long and I'll miss it when I retire. Going under the Thames for the tenth time as part of Crossrail felt pretty special, in particular on a project that is going to have such a big impact on London.

"I've seen enormous changes. Back when I started out, we dug tunnels by hand using pneumatic spades and shovels, normally with a cloth cap or a handkerchief on our heads. Now we're using ten million pound machines to build the tunnels beneath the streets of the city."

Andrew Wolstenholme, Crossrail chief executive, said: "Peter should be rightly proud of the 50 years service that he has given to the tunnelling industry and to London. The wealth of experience that he has brought to Crossrail has been unparalleled and we all wish him the very best for his retirement."