In tro du ctio In tro du ctio Abbey Mills Pumping Station Thames Tunnel Site ifo ra tio p a p e r1 Currently , untreated sewage regularly overows into the River Thames from London’s Victorian sewerage system via combined sewer overows (CSOs). The proposed Thames Tunnel would intercept these overows through the use of a new storage and transfer tunnel, which would link west London and Abbey Mills Pumping Station. The sewage ow would then be transferred to Beckton Sewage Treatment Works via the Lee Tunnel. The reduction in untreated sewage entering the River Thames would bring long-term benets for the environment and users ofthe River Thames. In order to deliver the project we need a number of sites along the route a nd this document identies our current preferred site at Abbey Mills Pumping Station. Key facts Local authority: NewhamSite type: Main tunnel reception site Duration of main construction works: Approximately four years.
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Currently, untreated sewage regularly overows into the River Thames from London’s Victorian sewerage systemvia combined sewer overows (CSOs). The proposed Thames Tunnel would intercept these overows through the
use of a new storage and transfer tunnel, which would link west London and Abbey Mills Pumping Station. Thesewage ow would then be transferred to Beckton Sewage Treatment Works via the Lee Tunnel. The reductionin untreated sewage entering the River Thames would bring long-term benets for the environment and users of the River Thames. In order to deliver the project we need a number of sites along the route and this documentidenties our current preferred site at Abbey Mills Pumping Station.
Key facts
Local authority: Newham
Site type: Main tunnel reception site
Duration of main construction works: Approximately four years.
Loss or displacement of some of theallotments west of the Abbey Mills
Pumping Station.
Since phase one consultation, we have revised our proposals for the site to
ensure that the location of construction activities would not result in the lossof any allotment plots. The decision not to use this site as a main tunnel drive
site means that a smaller site is now required for construction.
Possible effect on the footpath around
the site linking the Greenway to Three
Mills Green.
The existing footpath around the site is being reinstated as part of the current
Lee Tunnel works. Our works for the Thames Tunnel project would not affect
the footpath.
Possible effect of construction vehicleson the capacity and operation of the
local road network.
We have sought to minimise disruption to the local road network through
our site layout and design. We would manage the effects of road transportthrough our traffic management plans, which will seek to limit the number
of vehicle movements and hours of operation, identify the most suitable site
access points and any necessary highway management arrangements.
Possible effect of noise and vibration
on neighbouring areas.
The contractor would be required to implement noise and vibration control
measures at the worksite, which will be set out in the CoCP. Continuous
tunnelling would only be undertaken for a short period of time to connect the
main tunnel to the Lee Tunnel.
Possible effects on local air quality and
dust nuisance in neighbouring areas.
Preliminary findings indicate that while there is the potential for dust nuisance
effects, there are unlikely to be any significant local air quality effects at any
of the sites. The contractor would put in place air and dust control measures
at the worksite, will would be set out in the CoCP.
Once the tunnel is operational, we expect to undertake
inspection and maintenance of the ventilation and below
ground equipment approximately once every three to six
months. This would be undertaken within our site and as
part of the existing maintenance routine.
Once every ten years, we expect to carry out a major
internal inspection of the tunnel and underground
structures. This is likely to involve a small team of
inspection staff, a small team of support crew and two
mobile cranes to lower the team and inspection vehicle
into the shaft. This is likely to take several weeks, and
would all be undertaken within our site.
We may also need to make visits to the site for unplanned
maintenance or repairs, for example, if there is a
blockage, or equipment failure. This may require the use
of mobile cranes and vans.
Permanent vehicular access would be from within the
pumping station site, accessed from Gay Road.
Management of operational effects
We have undertaken technical work, including
stakeholder engagement, to assess and identify the key
issues associated with this site once it is operational.
Table 3.2 summarises these issues and how we are
currently proposing to address them.
Issue Our response
Possible odour effects during
the operation of the tunnel.
Odour effects at this site are expected to be negligible because we have developed
an Air management plan to minimise possible odour and air quality effects arisingfrom the operation of the tunnel. The technology we are proposing to use at this site
includes a mechanical ventilation system that draws air through the tunnel with fans
before cleaning the air using carbon filters that will absorb possible odour before air
leaves the ventilation equipment.
Disturbance from future
maintenance access.
The permanent access to our site would remain unchanged and visits would be
undertaken as part of the existing maintenance routine.
Carbon filters Filters that remove odours before the air is released from the tunnel.
Combined sewer A single sewer system that takes both rainwater and domestic and industrial wastewater.
Combined sewer
overflow (CSO)
A structure, or series of structures, that allows sewers to overflow into the river when they
are full as a result of increased rainfall. Without the overflows, the sewers would back up
and cause flooding in streets or houses.
Connection tunnel A tunnel connecting a drop shaft to the main tunnel.
Conservation areaAn area designated by the local authority or English Heritage as having special
architectural or historical interest.
Draft limit of land to be
acquired or used
The extent of land that we may need to use or acquire, or over which rights may be needed
to carry out works that are essential to the project.
Lee TunnelA tunnel, currently under construction, which will intercept the Abbey Mills Pumping Station
CSO, store and then transfer flows onward to Beckton Sewage Treatment Works.
Main tunnel/connection
tunnel drive site
A site that would be used to construct the main tunnel or connection tunnel. The excavated
material would be removed from the tunnel and the concrete tunnel lining segments would
be delivered to the tunnel at the main/connection tunnel drive site.
Main tunnel/connection
tunnel reception site
The tunnel would be constructed from a drive site to a reception site. Once the tunnel
arrives at the reception site, the tunnel boring machine would be dismantled and removed.
Main tunnel The tunnel from Acton Storm Tanks to Abbey Mills Pumping Station.
Operational phase After the completion of the construction work, when the main tunnel is in use.
Secondary lining A second, internal lining to the tunnel, giving it additional strength.
Thames Tunnel project The Thames Tunnel project comprises a storage and transfer tunnel, from west London toBeckton Sewage Treatment Works in east London, and the control of 34 CSOs along the
Thames Tideway.
Transport for London
Road Network (TLRN)
The network of roads managed by Transport for London. These are the major or ‘strategic’
roads, which have high capacity.
Tunnel boring machine
(TBM)
A machine used to excavate tunnels through a variety of conditions, with a circular