Torbay, UK – Alan Denby, Director of Pride in Place at Torbay Council, has announced a groundbreaking deal expected to be worth over £100 million. This monumental agreement comes as a direct result of Torbay Council’s participation in The ‘UK’s Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum’ (UKREiiF) annual event held
Building performance experts at Leeds Beckett University have teamed up with world-leading technology manufacturers, Coltraco Ultrasonics, to develop their Portascanner® Airtight, a novel rapid low-cost ultrasonic device which can be used to quickly assess and quantify the airtightness performance of a building. The Portascanner® Airtight is a handheld tool which
A pair of ageing Salford tower blocks are going ‘green’ as part of a multi-million pound eco-transformation. Housing association Salix Homes has unveiled its ambitious investment plans for neighbouring blocks Greyfriar Court and Whitefriar Court in the Greengate area of Salford. The 14-storey high rise buildings will undergo a £10million
South Gyle Trade Park offers investors asset management opportunities and an attractive income profile South Gyle Trade Park has been brought to the market by Lismore Real Estate Advisors for offers in excess of £12.8m, on behalf of abrdn. The quoting price reflects an attractive initial yield of 7.5%. This
Grosvenor has today published a report setting out Liverpool ONE’s role in the physical, economic, and social renaissance of Liverpool. Opened in 2008, the 42-acre retail and entertainment destination transformed Liverpool city centre, connecting the city back to its waterfront and acting as a catalyst for wider regeneration activity. Over
Award-winning shared ownership provider SO Resi recently launched its latest phase of new homes in the capital, SO Resi Hendon Waterside, comprising 42 studio, one and two-bedroom apartments, as well as two and three-bedroom duplex homes. According to research from Zoopla, the average first time buyer deposit in London now
CBRE Selling Prominent City Centre Office and Leisure Investment 86 Deansgate, a prominent office and leisure development, has been launched to market by the Investment Properties team at CBRE Manchester, acting on behalf of Swiss Life Asset Managers UK. CBRE is seeking offers in excess of £9.55m, reflecting a “topped
A major milestone for Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust’s (GMMH) new flagship adult mental health inpatient unit has been reached with a topping out ceremony on Thursday 21 September marking the completion of the highest point of the build and the last piece of steel frame being fixed
As the autumn season approaches, construction companies and house builders are urged to prioritise site safety in the face of changing weather conditions, particularly strong winds. Rethync Ltd, a leading innovator in construction site solutions, introduces its Multisite steel hoarding as the essential answer to these safety concerns. Phil Chadwick,
National Grid’s £1 billion London Power Tunnels (LPT) project has achieved a major milestone with its final tunnelling breakthrough at Eltham substation in Greenwich. The last of the project’s massive tunnel boring machines (TBMs), named ‘Grace’, broke through on Saturday, having tunnelled over 11km eastwards from National Grid’s New Cross
Torbay, UK – Alan Denby, Director of Pride in Place at Torbay Council, has announced a groundbreaking deal expected to be worth over £100 million. This monumental agreement comes as a direct result of Torbay Council’s participation in The ‘UK’s Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum’ (UKREiiF) annual event held in Leeds. Denby expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We’ve worked with UKREiiF and the team behind it for the first time this year. Being present in Leeds opened doors for us, allowing us to engage in pivotal conversations with investors, developers, and occupiers. These are conversations we wouldn’t have had the chance to partake in without being there in person. We’re on the brink of recommending a preferred value partner to collaborate with us on four key sites, a testament to the opportunities that arise from being in the room when significant investments are being discussed. UKREiiF is an event of paramount importance, and we wholeheartedly endorse participation.” Torbay is currently undergoing a transformative phase, with multi-million-pound projects unfolding across Torquay, Paignton, and Brixham. This surge in investment aims to rejuvenate the towns, bolster the local economy, and enhance infrastructure. The overarching goal is to create thriving spaces for the community and to ensure job and training opportunities for future generations. Torbay Council has been instrumental in this transformation, having devised a strategy based on feedback from residents, businesses, and investors. UKREiiF Director Matt Christie said: “We are thrilled to have played a part in this monumental announcement for Torbay Council. They were an early adopter of UKREiiF and have reaped the rewards of not only attending, but have been a valued partner that fully embraces the opportunities that UKREiiF offers everyone: wall-to-wall networking with thousands of organisations that genuinely want to invest £millions. Bravo, Torbay!” For more information about UKREiiF, visit [UKREiiF Annual Event 2024](https://www.ukreiif.com/event/ukreiif-annual-event-2024/). To learn more about Torbay Council’s regeneration projects, visit [Invest In Torbay](https://investintorbay.com/news/our-projects/regeneration/). Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Building performance experts at Leeds Beckett University have teamed up with world-leading technology manufacturers, Coltraco Ultrasonics, to develop their Portascanner® Airtight, a novel rapid low-cost ultrasonic device which can be used to quickly assess and quantify the airtightness performance of a building. The Portascanner® Airtight is a handheld tool which uses ultrasound to detect and locate air leakage sites. It is the first system of its kind to also quantify the extent of any air leakage. The tool can be applied to both new and existing buildings, so can be used before, during and after building or renovation. The new collaboration between Coltraco and Leeds Beckett University has been funded by the Government through Innovate UK to develop, evaluate, and optimise the use of the Portascanner® Airtight – creating an improved version of the product, along with best practice guides and training materials for professionals. Dr David Johnston, Professor of Building Performance Evaluation in the Leeds Sustainability Institute at Leeds Beckett University, said: “The airtightness performance of building fabric can have a significant impact on energy use and CO2 emissions. Therefore, it is important to develop low-cost tools that are capable of rapidly assessing and quantifying the airtightness performance of a building, providing an alternative to existing methods of testing airtightness. All of these tools will be important in helping the UK meet its Net Zero obligations.” The project will assess the use of the new technology within both a controlled and real-world environment. This will be used to design and develop a rigorous, best-practice process. The team will also compare the technology with other airtightness testing technologies – such as blower door fans – to assess the accuracy of the Portascanner® Airtight and how it compliments tried and tested existing technologies. The team also plan to make improvements to the technology, including upgrading the hardware to include a wireless sensor, and developing and testing a mount for a geostationary drone, to hold the generator in place on external structures for tall buildings. Daniel Dobrowolski, Senior Physicist – Research, Development, Design, and Ergonomics at Coltraco Ultrasonics, said: “We are committed to evaluating the benefits of the Portascanner® Airtight as a rapid testing tool through a systematic empirical study and so this project is a fantastic opportunity to collaborate with the academic experts. The research we undertake with Leeds Beckett will aid professional airtightness testers, building services engineers, and building surveyors to confidently take full advantage of Coltraco’s innovative technology to improve building airtightness and, ultimately, building sustainability.” Professor Johnston added: “We look forward to further developing our relationship with Coltraco, and demonstrating how industry and universities can work together to improve the sustainability of the built environment in the UK.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A pair of ageing Salford tower blocks are going ‘green’ as part of a multi-million pound eco-transformation. Housing association Salix Homes has unveiled its ambitious investment plans for neighbouring blocks Greyfriar Court and Whitefriar Court in the Greengate area of Salford. The 14-storey high rise buildings will undergo a £10million refurbishment, making them greener and more energy efficient. The planned improvement work includes external wall and roof insulation, new windows and ventilation; while the façade and balconies will be completely rendered and transformed. An eco-friendly ground source heating system will also be installed, which, combined with the external insulation will improve the thermal efficiency of the building and help reduce energy bills for Salix Homes customers. The state-of-the-art heating system works by harnessing the natural heat from the ground, rather than burning fuel to generate heat. Liam Turner, Executive Director of Assets, Growth and Sustainability at Salix Homes, said: “Salix Homes is committed to creating cleaner, greener homes and communities, so we’re pleased to share with residents our ambitious plans for Greyfriar and Whitefriar Court, which aim to enhance residents’ quality of life and reduce carbon emissions. “This significant investment project will give a new lease of life to these ageing 1960s tower blocks, transforming the properties into desirable, modern homes which are more comfortable and economical to run, while helping to meet our carbon neutral ambitions. “This marks another step forwards towards achieving our sustainability goals and improving the energy efficiency of all our housing stock, which will benefit both our residents and the planet.” Salix Homes, which owns 8,000 homes across Salford, has secured £4million from the government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) to help fund the project, following a successful bid from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) on behalf of social housing providers across Greater Manchester. The SHDF scheme provides financial support to social housing providers and local authorities to undertake energy efficiency and decarbonisation measures. The Government has set a target that all social housing should have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of a ‘C’ rating by 2030, as part of the net zero programme to reduce the UK’s carbon emissions, while Salix Homes has committed to becoming a carbon neutral organisation by 2038. Salix Homes’ partner contractor Casey will carry out the improvement work, which is due to start on site later this year, and is expected to be complete by March 2025. Alan Taylor, Operations Director at Casey, said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with Salix Homes to deliver the transformation of Greyfriar and Whitefriar Court. The work being undertaken supports our purpose of improving lives and will ensure benefits to the residents living within the blocks. Throughout the project we will also deliver social value initiatives to benefit the local community.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
South Gyle Trade Park offers investors asset management opportunities and an attractive income profile South Gyle Trade Park has been brought to the market by Lismore Real Estate Advisors for offers in excess of £12.8m, on behalf of abrdn. The quoting price reflects an attractive initial yield of 7.5%. This rare and prime multi-let trade park investment is located within Edinburgh’s premier industrial location and offers an attractive income profile, as well as strong asset management opportunities to increase both income and capital value. Set on a site of 12.31 acres, the estate is split into four distinct components, with an overall floor area of 139,650 sq ft. This is set across eighteen terraced and solus trade counter units, three light industrial units and a single office building of 4,172 sq ft. The park also fulfils a “last-mile” function, given its critical location and excellent connectivity, being adjacent to key motorway infrastructure and Edinburgh’s arterial road network. Colin Finlayson, Director of Lismore Real Estate Advisors said: “This is a rare opportunity for investors to acquire a prime trade park asset, ideally placed in within the Edinburgh’s premier trade and light industrial location.” “South Gyle Trade Park offers a secure and well-diversified income profile, as well as significant opportunities to grow income through active asset management. “This asset has great potential and we anticipate strong interest from a wide range of investors.” The park offers an excellent and diverse mix of tenants, with good covenants, including Network Rail, Thistle Timber & Building Supplies, Wolseley, D&G Autocare, Geo Amey, Martin Plant Hire, Dofos and CityFibre. The contracted WAULT is 8.1 years to expiry and 7 years to the nearest breaks. South Gyle and its surrounding area comprise a mix of uses, including trade, light industrial, distribution, business, retail, leisure and residential. Nearby occupiers include G4S, UPS, Royal Mail, Wolseley, Screwfix, Halfords, Speedy Services, Virgin Media, RBS, Lloyds Banking Group, Tesco Bank and Aegon Asset Management. South Gyle Trade Park is situated both north and south of South Gyle Crescent, the principal arterial route through South Gyle Industrial Estate. Lismore Real Estate Advisors is the sole selling agent for South Gyle Trade Park. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Grosvenor has today published a report setting out Liverpool ONE’s role in the physical, economic, and social renaissance of Liverpool. Opened in 2008, the 42-acre retail and entertainment destination transformed Liverpool city centre, connecting the city back to its waterfront and acting as a catalyst for wider regeneration activity. Over the last 15 years, Liverpool ONE has: Source: Grosvenor management data and economic impact analysis conducted by Deloitte An early example of Levelling Up in action, Liverpool ONE was developed by Grosvenor in partnership with Liverpool City Council. Designed to revive the city’s fortunes by creating 2.5 million sq. ft. of retail and other uses, it is one of the largest city centre regeneration schemes of this century. Thanks to a shared vision and an effective public private partnership between Liverpool City Council and Grosvenor, the complex project was completed within an ambitious timetable to coincide with the city’s year as European Capital of Culture in 2008. Its opening reactivated the centre of the city, re-establishing Liverpool’s status as a pre-eminent retail destination, propelling the city from the UK’s 17th most popular retail destination to fifth. Over the last 15 years, Grosvenor’s management of Liverpool ONE has seen it become one of the UK’s leading retail and entertainment destinations, with average spend per head increasing by 89%, sales increasing by 195% and the catchment area increasing by 77%. The destination has consistently demonstrated its ability to attract brands to open their first stores outside London, or to choose Liverpool ONE as the home of their portfolio flagship. In the last five years alone, Grosvenor has signed, renewed or regeared almost 70 brands. These include international leaders like Inditex, with Liverpool ONE the only destination outside London to have Zara, Bershka, Pull&Bear and Stradivarius. The destination is also home to the largest JD Sports in the world and the £10m Gravity MAX, which represents the pinnacle of the entertainment experience brand’s portfolio of locations. Alongside the considerable economic impact, the destination has played an important role in the community, with the Liverpool ONE Foundation donating £3m to support young people and promote positive mental health and wellbeing. It has also been a willing partner in supporting the city in hosting global events including Eurovision 2023 where a full programme of free events took place across Liverpool ONE’s streets and green spaces. Rachel Dickie, Executive Director of Investment at Grosvenor, commented: “Whilst today marks 15 years of Liverpool ONE, Grosvenor’s commitment to the city, first as developer, now as co-owner and manager of Liverpool ONE dates back nearly 25 years to the inception of the project in 1999.” “From the outset, we were committed to creating a new city centre to an exceptional level of quality. This, combined with a focus on contemporary urban design, place shaping and sensitivity to local identity has underpinned Liverpool ONE’s attractiveness to occupiers and visitors for almost a generation.” “A willingness to invest for the long-term and build effective partnerships are vital to the success of the UK’s towns and cities. This report shows the positives that can come from bold and creative regeneration. And, despite the increasing constraints on the public and private sectors, we need to learn the lessons from success stories like Liverpool ONE to drive future growth and meet the challenges faced by communities across the UK.” Leader of Liverpool City Council, Cllr Liam Robinson, said: “Liverpool ONE is a phenomenal asset for our city. Its design didn’t just reshape our city centre, it reimagined it. Its offer didn’t just reinvigorate our retail offer, it reinvented it. Its appeal didn’t just stay within the city, it reached out across the UK and beyond. In many ways Liverpool ONE redefined this city’s potential. It realised a new city centre where our amazing waterfront no longer felt disconnected. As a destination, an employer, and a partner, it’s been a hallmark of excellence these past 15 years and shows every sign of continuing to be so. Here’s to everyone who helped it on its journey and here’s to another 15 years of success.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Award-winning shared ownership provider SO Resi recently launched its latest phase of new homes in the capital, SO Resi Hendon Waterside, comprising 42 studio, one and two-bedroom apartments, as well as two and three-bedroom duplex homes. According to research from Zoopla, the average first time buyer deposit in London now stands at a staggering £63,750 , compared with the UK average of £34,500. SO Resi Hendon Waterside will offer a more accessible route to homeownership, with the new homes exclusively available to purchase through shared ownership. Shares in the homes at Hendon Waterside will be available from 25%, with prices starting from £84,375, which means that a deposit for a home could be as low as £4,218.75. The development will appeal to young professionals and commuters in the capital and surrounding Home Counties looking to place a foot onto the property ladder. All homes incorporate a high specification as standard, with features such as laminated worktops and upstands, fully fitted kitchens with Zanussi and Electrolux appliances and selected apartments including a parking space too. Open-plan living is also incorporated here, with generously proportioned bedrooms for ample space for working from home needs. Kevin Sims, Director of Sales at SO Resi, comments: “The average cost of a first time buyer deposit in London continues to rise, so it is little surprise that many young people feel priced out of buying a home in the capital. Shared ownership is becoming an increasingly attractive prospect for buyers, thanks to its flexibility and low five per cent deposit requirement. At SO Resi Hendon Waterside, prices start from £84,375 for a 25% share which is a far more achievable goal for many aspirational first time buyers. “Hendon is an appealing location for young people, thanks to its fantastic amenities, excellent connections and most importantly, a more accessible price point when compared to other London postcodes. We are especially looking forward to introducing our larger three-bedroom duplex apartments, which offer a unique chance for families looking for more space in the capital to make use of the shared ownership scheme. Previously, we have seen extremely strong demand on homes at this development and predict this phase to be no different as first time buyers look to escape the rental trap and get onto the property ladder.” Hendon Waterside forms part of the wider £9.6 billion North West London regeneration scheme by Barnet and Brent Borough Councils. The development sits in the heart of the Welsh Harp Reservoir which offers scenic trails, waterside footpaths and green sheltered woods for residents to enjoy. For retail options, the borough’s rejuvenated Broadway has seen a range of well-known shops, bars, and restaurants open in the town centre. Further afield, Brent Cross Shopping Centre is just a five-minute drive away and serves as North London’s go-to shopping and entertainment destination. Located in Zone 3 on the London Underground, the development has excellent transport links offering services from Hendon Railway Station, which is just a short walk from the development, and Hendon Central tube station, reaching central London via the Northern Line in under 20 minutes. Road connections also will serve residents well, with the M1 and M25 motorways within easy reach, and Heathrow Airport approximately half an hour away. SO Resi Hendon Waterside offers a collection of 42 studio, one and two-bedroom apartments and two to three-bedroom duplexes available through shared ownership, with prices starting from ££84,375 for a 25% share in a studio home [full market value: £337,500]. To find out more, visit www.soresi.co.uk or call 020 8607 0550. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
CBRE Selling Prominent City Centre Office and Leisure Investment 86 Deansgate, a prominent office and leisure development, has been launched to market by the Investment Properties team at CBRE Manchester, acting on behalf of Swiss Life Asset Managers UK. CBRE is seeking offers in excess of £9.55m, reflecting a “topped up” net initial yield of 10% and a low capital value of £195 per sq ft. Situated on the main Manchester City Centre thoroughfare, 86 Deansgate has 48,967 sq ft of commercial space. The five upper floors feature open plan, Grade A offices with flexible floor-plates from 2,100 sq ft to 8,600 sq ft, with two ground floor prime retail units and a basement containing 19 parking spaces. Multi-let to a range of professional office occupiers including Reed Recruitment, Slater Heelis and Resource Solutions, the property also has a vibrant ground floor presence with leisure operators Las Iguanas and Yours Restaurant & Bar in occupation. The 12 occupiers provide excellent diversification of income, with 63% derived from the offices and 37% from the leisure. Contracted passing income of £749,528 per annum reflects an average of £20.82 per sq ft over the offices and £30.81 per sq ft over the leisure. With the current passing rents reflecting 50% discount to prime new build space, investors have opportunities to add significant value by reinvigorating 19,354 sq ft of available office space, as well as through active asset management with the existing tenants. Additionally, historic planning permission could be implemented to create a two-storey ‘glass box’ extension to add a further 14,000 sq ft of Grade A space on 6th and 7th floors. With immediate access to Exchange Square, home to Harvey Nicholls and Selfridges, 86 Deansgate is in an area which is set to undergo significant investment and development as well as being part of the St Mary’s Parsonage Strategic Regeneration Framework. Will Kennon, Executive Director, CBRE Investment Properties team commented: “The surrounding micro-location of Deansgate and St Mary’s Parsonage is on the cusp of some of the most exciting new commercial-led development with schemes such as; Albert Bridge House (by Oval), Alberton (by Bruntwood), 39 Deansgate (by Candour) together with Property Alliance Group’s extensive mixed use redevelopment at Renaissance undoubtedly extending the city’s prime office core. 86 Deansgate, which sits centrally in between these developments, is therefore set to be a major beneficiary, and we would expect the asset to benefit from substantial occupier demand and rental growth over the coming cycle.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A major milestone for Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust’s (GMMH) new flagship adult mental health inpatient unit has been reached with a topping out ceremony on Thursday 21 September marking the completion of the highest point of the build and the last piece of steel frame being fixed in place. Work commenced on the construction of North View on the North Manchester General Hospital (NMGH) site in August 2022. The new mental health unit is the largest capital project that GMMH has undertaken. GMMH’s Deputy Chief Executive, Andrew Maloney, Chair of Manchester Foundation Trust, Kathy Cowell, NHS England’s Regional Delivery Director, Tom Myers, and Chief Executive of NMGH, Ian Lurcock, formally marked the occasion alongside representatives from GMMH’s Principal Supply Chain Partner, Integrated Health Projects (IHP), the joint venture between VINCI Building and Sir Robert McAlpine. North View is a 150-bedroom adult unit set to provide much-needed space and modern facilities for adults with mental health needs from across Manchester. The £105m development will see the creation of a state-of-the-art inpatient unit hosting spacious single bedrooms, each with a private en-suite shower room, as well as a variety of indoor activity areas, meeting rooms for family visiting, multiple gardens, spaces for therapeutic artwork and a café. The steel frame of the construction has now been completed and work continues to clad the exterior to make the build watertight and enable the interior fittings and first-fix electrical and mechanical works to commence. Marc Reed, Associate Director of Capital, Estates & Facilities for GMMH and Project Director for North View, said: “We continue to make fantastic progress on the new unit and remain on programme for North View being complete and ready for patients in autumn 2024. The ‘topping out’ ceremony marked the installation of the final piece of steelwork in the buildings super-structure, with the development now really taking shape. “I’m really pleased to see us reach this important milestone in the project, with our fantastic new development a step closer to reality. “We are continuing to engage with communities to influence the interior design of North View and it’s exciting to see the next phases develop as construction rapidly progresses.” Andrew Maloney, GMMH’s Deputy Chief Executive, said: “I was honoured to attend the topping out ceremony and see first-hand the progress that has been made on this state-of-the-art mental health inpatient unit. It is fantastic to see the building taking shape, giving an insight into the life-changing development it is going to become. “This is more than just a building – it will be a unique healthcare setting that will benefit and serve the local community for years to come. The project is close to the hearts of those involved, including service users, carers and clinicians who have supported decisions on the design of the building so that we can deliver the best possible care for patients. It’s a massive investment for our local communities and I’m looking forward to it being fully up and running.” The development is part of an exciting vision for North Manchester General Hospital (NMGH) to improve health and wellbeing for local people over the next 10 to 15 years. It will replace the Park House mental health unit, which currently serves as the inpatient unit for the area, and is being built in an alternative location on the hospital site. This will allow the new development to be fully constructed without disturbing current patients and the day-to-day operation of services. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As the autumn season approaches, construction companies and house builders are urged to prioritise site safety in the face of changing weather conditions, particularly strong winds. Rethync Ltd, a leading innovator in construction site solutions, introduces its Multisite steel hoarding as the essential answer to these safety concerns. Phil Chadwick, Managing Director of Rethync comments: “Autumn presents unique challenges for construction sites, and ensuring site safety is paramount. Rethync’s Multisite steel hoarding is engineered to withstand the elements while providing enhanced security options and supporting environmental sustainability, making it the ideal choice for construction projects this season. “With all our jobs, we provide wind loading calculations as standard for added safety. And for sites facing particularly harsh autumn winds, we offer site-specific installation amendments to enhance resistance, including narrower post spacings, larger foundations, enhanced security and height options, or the addition of backstays. “All this is in line with the construction industry’s goals of environmental sustainability, and the Multisite hoarding we provide at Rethync is designed with recyclable benefits in mind. The recyclable nature of the materials used in steel hoarding allows for reduced waste, the option to reuse, and it is recyclable, contributing to a more sustainable and eco-friendly construction process.” As Autumn ushers in unpredictable weather, it is crucial to prioritise site safety on your construction projects. Rethync’s Multisite steel hoarding is your reliable partner in creating a professional and secure site environment during this fluctuating season. With its wind resistance, enhanced security options, and eco-friendly features, their Multisite ensures that your construction site remains safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible. Contact Rethync today for a safer and more sustainable construction experience on 03300 535898 or info@rethync.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
National Grid’s £1 billion London Power Tunnels (LPT) project has achieved a major milestone with its final tunnelling breakthrough at Eltham substation in Greenwich. The last of the project’s massive tunnel boring machines (TBMs), named ‘Grace’, broke through on Saturday, having tunnelled over 11km eastwards from National Grid’s New Cross substation in Southwark. All 32.5km of the project’s underground route are now complete, with installation of 200km worth of high voltage cable – enough to stretch from London to Cardiff – already underway between substations at Wimbledon and Crayford. In total the project will have shifted 900,000 tonnes of earth – equivalent in volume to half of Wembley Stadium – with 99.98% of waste material diverted from landfill. The LPT project’s newly installed transmission infrastructure is due to be fully operational by 2026, with the aim of reinforcing and future-proofing London’s electricity network – and supporting Britain’s transition to net zero – as demand in the capital grows. Construction of the tunnels began in March 2020 with the tunnelling works undertaken by National Grid’s delivery partner HOCHTIEF-Murphy Joint Venture. Alice Delahunty, President of National Grid Electricity Transmission, said: “Our London Power Tunnels project has achieved a lot since it kicked off in 2020, but the final tunnelling breakthrough at Eltham is a particularly remarkable moment. “This complex engineering endeavour is now really taking shape, with completion of tunnelling now physically linking our sites across South London for the first time and meaning we can move on to the next chapter to progress our vital cabling work. “The outstanding effort by our project teams and suppliers is strengthening London’s electricity network and making sure it safely, reliably and efficiently powers homes and businesses in the capital for years to come.” Santiago Daniele, HMJV Project Director, said: “It’s been an incredible journey so far, from taking over our tunnel drive sites a week after the covid lockdown, to sinking eight shafts and undertaking five tunnel drives with four TBMs over the past three and half years. “With our final TBM drive breaking through at Eltham ahead of the original baseline programme, it’s testament to the collaboration, ingenuity and fantastic joint culture of all involved – despite all of the challenges faced. This remarkable achievement has laid a solid foundation for the Enterprise in achieving National Grid’s vision of rewiring London and connecting with the capital. “We’re incredibly proud to be delivering for National Grid a scheme of such significance – and being their delivery partner of choice for complex major infrastructure involved in LPT Phase 2.” Minister for Nuclear and Networks, Andrew Bowie, said: “Today’s completion is a huge milestone for the London Power Tunnels project, a superb feat of British engineering that will help future-proof our capital’s electricity network. “This is part of National Grid’s wider commitment to rewire and modernise London’s electricity network, significantly increasing London’s capacity and energy security for years to come.” Tunnelling on the LPT project was completed in three sections between existing National Grid substations – Wimbledon-New Cross (12km); New Cross-Hurst (18km); and Hurst-Crayford (2.5km) – with the help of four TBMs named Christine, Caroline, Edith and Grace. Breakthroughs previously took place at Eltham in June 2022 (TBM Christine tunnelling from Hurst), Wimbledon in July 2022 (TBM Caroline tunnelling from Kings Avenue), Crayford in January 2023 (Christine again tunnelling from Hurst) and Kings Avenue in April 2023 (TBM Edith tunnelling from New Cross). Vertical shafts ranging between 9-15m in diameter and up to 55m in depth were constructed along the route, serving as waypoints for the TBMs, and helping project teams safely access the tunnels for maintenance now and when operational in the future (headhouses will be built to cover the shafts for safe future use). The Hurst substation site recently saw a world record-breaking pour of cement-free concrete to fill the base of its 55 metre deep shaft following Christine’s two tunnel drives to Eltham and Crayford. In another first for LPT, National Grid’s new Bengeworth Road substation on the tunnel route in Lambeth is being built free from greenhouse gas SF6 – the only one of its kind to date in Britain and part of National Grid’s ambition for its infrastructure to be SF6-free by 2050. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals