TBM Annie has reached the Earl Pumping Station site in Deptford. This marks the 2.2km point of an overall 4.5km journey from Greenwich Pumping Station to Chambers Wharf in Bermondsey. The TBM will now continue her tunnelling journey to Chambers Wharf. 

TBM Annie is constructing the Greenwich Connection Tunnel, which will connect into the existing sewer network and will transfer sewage into the main super sewer at Chambers Wharf. The work at Earl Pumping Station will reduce annual sewer discharges into the River Thames locally.  

Ahead of Annie’s arrival, the shaft needed to be fully excavated and a base slab installed. It was then partially backfilled with a temporary cement material into which the TBM could tunnel. Above this, the shaft was filled with water to match the external water pressure of five bar. This special ‘plunge pool’ balances the ground pressure allowing the team to tunnel straight into the shaft.  

While TBM Annie is at Earl Pumping Station, a cutterhead inspection will take place any cutting teeth replaced if necessary. TBM Annie is named after Annie Scott Dill Russell, the first female scientist to work at the Greenwich Observatory.  Earl Pumping Station is part of an existing Thames Water Pumping Station and remains operational throughout our works.  

For further information please visit the tunnelbuilder archive by clicking here and uk/54. Visit https://www.tideway.london/. 45/21.