Huge excavating machine successfully lifted from Putney foreshore

Following a key piece of work as part of London’s ‘super sewer’, an excavating machine was successfully removed from the construction site at Putney following a part closure of the bridge.

As part of the operation, the southbound lane of Putney Bridge was closed for 24 hours while a large crane was used from the south side of the bridge to remove the "pipe-jacking" machine.

At this site for the Tideway project, a 134 metre tunnel that will connect a combined sewage overflow (CSO) point under Putney Bridge to the new sewer – which is currently under construction to stop sewage overflowing into the river - was recently excavated using the machine. This CSO currently spills around 68,000m3 of raw sewage into the River Thames each year.

The team successfully “lifted and shifted” the pipe-jacking machine from the foreshore onto a lorry, where it was then driven to begin life on another construction project.

The bridge closure was well managed by the site team with support from Transport for London, and Wandsworth, and Hammersmith and Fulham Councils.

Site staff were also on hand to help those passing by or stopping to find out about the project and what was taking place, while the activity also attracted small groups of onlookers watching the lift.

With the work having to take place around the tidal movements of the river Thames, Putney Project Manager David Miles said: “The amount of strategic planning that went into this lift must be considered when we reflect on its success.  From engineering, to traffic and logistics, and key stakeholder interface, the team remained focused on a positive result for all. 

“The community were also out in force to witness the event, where we fielded many questions on Tideway overall, as well as the scope we were delivering. “

With the lift complete, Putney Bridge was re-opened to all traffic.