Super sewer teams set up sites with social distancing in place

London’s biggest infrastructure project continues with its essential work to clean up the River Thames with all sites operational and working to social distancing guidelines.

Tideway, the company building the 25km super sewer to stop sewage pollution in the River Thames, restarted main tunnelling work in May after all but essential and safety-critical activities were put on hold at the start of the COVID-19 lockdown period.

Since then, constant reviews of safety practices have ensured works have been able to progress despite not yet being able to work at full capacity. The measures in place fit within the Construction

Leadership Council’s guidance and official public health advice, and include social distancing and personal travel plans.

Tideway CEO, Andy Mitchell, said: “It was absolutely right that we paused our activity at the start of the pandemic. Only by planning very carefully what activities are safe could we get our teams back to work. Our measures were developed with our workforce and contractors and continue to be monitored.”

Those who can work from home continue to do so.

Work on the super sewer, which will run from Acton in west London to Stratford in east London, started in 2016. Nearly 19km of tunnel has now been constructed. 

Tideway has a 24/7 Helpdesk that can be contacted on 08000 30 80 80 or by emailing [email protected]