Following the discovery in February 2022 of some of the largest Roman mosaics found in London for over 50 years, further excavations at a new London development site have uncovered a Roman mausoleum described by experts as “completely unique.” The incredibly rare finds have been uncovered at The Liberty of
UK Power Networks Services will complete electrical infrastructure upgrades to allow a new fleet of trains to operate on the Piccadilly line and improve reliability and service frequency. The project – which began in June 2022 and is scheduled to finish in June 2025 – will see UK Power Networks
The idea is as ingenious as it is unique and has the potential to become a global role model: the Bunhill Heat and Power Network (BHPN) project in central London. By using waste heat from the London Underground network, 1,350 homes, a school and two leisure centers in Islington are
Policy Forum for London keynote seminar … Morning, Friday, 11th December 2020 Book Online | Live Agenda | CPD certified | Sponsorship | Our Website | @londonpolicy| Unsubscribe with Alex Williams, Director of City Planning, Transport for London Neil Henderson, Global Knowledge and Innovation Director, Transport and Key Account Leader,
Costain, the smart infrastructure solutions company, has been awarded a technology contract by Highways England, to work in collaboration with them, the Department for Transport, Transport for London (TfL) and Kent County Council to design, install and implement one of the UK’s first pilot connected vehicle corridors on a live
Following the discovery in February 2022 of some of the largest Roman mosaics found in London for over 50 years, further excavations at a new London development site have uncovered a Roman mausoleum described by experts as “completely unique.” The incredibly rare finds have been uncovered at The Liberty of Southwark site, a stone’s throw away from Borough Market and London Bridge Station. Archaeological investigations were led by Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA), on behalf of Landsec and Transport for London (TfL), who own the site, and Southwark Council. The remains of the mausoleum (a type of monumental tomb) uncovered on Landsec and TfL’s Southwark development include the walls and interior flooring. At its centre, is a striking mosaic surrounded by a raised platform on which the burials were placed. The lowest entrance steps into the structure also survive. Significantly, this level of preservation of the interior makes this the most intact Roman mausoleum ever to be discovered in Britain. Landsec and TfL are working together in a joint venture partnership on The Liberty of Southwark development and are committed to restoring and retaining the mausoleum within the permanent scheme for public display and enjoyment. The future display of the mausoleum will provide a tangible link between the Roman archaeology of Southwark and the site on which the artefacts were found, making these unique discoveries publicly accessible. Antonietta Lerz, Senior Archaeologist at MOLA – “This relatively small site in Southwark is a microcosm for the changing fortunes of Roman London – from the early phase of the site where London expands and the area has lavishly decorated Roman buildings, all the way through to the later Roman period when the settlement shrinks and it becomes a more quiet space where people remember their dead. It provides a fascinating window into the living conditions and lifestyle in this part of the city in the Roman period.” Marcus Geddes, Managing Director – Workplace at Landsec – “These extraordinary finds add great significance to the already culturally rich location of The Liberty of Southwark. We’re pleased to have worked together to ensure these finds were uncovered prior to our construction on site and we’re committed to celebrating Southwark’s heritage in the future of the development. We’ll continue to work with MOLA to preserve and protect the mausoleum and mosaics, and to display them for the enjoyment of the public and our future office and retail customers at The Liberty of Southwark.” Councillor Catherine Rose, Southwark Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Leisure and Parks – “The rediscovery of this Roman mausoleum and mosaics is a testament to the rich tapestry of our past. It is a moment of pride for Southwark, as we pay homage to the ingenuity and artistic brilliance that graced our borough in the Roman times. We are extremely grateful to the archaeologists, historians, and all those involved in unearthing these extraordinary remnants. As a council we are committed to preserving and promoting these archaeological treasures, ensuring that they are accessible to the local community and beyond for generations to come. This includes the recent discovery of a stone sarcophagus built into a mausoleum near Harper Road and a 19th century sculpture of King Alfred in Trinity Church”. Victoria Shin, Senior Property Development Manager at TfL – ‘This new discovery builds on the exciting findings already uncovered and develops our understanding of the changing use of the site throughout the Roman period. It is key that as we bring forward new developments across the whole of London that we work hard with others to preserve and reflect the heritage of London whilst delivering the homes and jobs that London needs to continue to thrive in the future.” The mausoleum underwent significant modifications during its lifetime and archaeologists uncovered a second mosaic directly beneath the first – indicating the floor of the structure was raised during its lifetime. The two mosaics are similar in design, with a central flower surrounded by a pattern of concentric circles set within a pavement formed of small red tiles. The walls of the structure were almost completely dismantled, probably during the medieval period, for reuse elsewhere. However, all signs indicate this was a substantial building, perhaps two storeys high, requiring large buttresses in the corners for support. Alongside the mosaics, the mausoleum contained a raised platform formed of tiles bonded with a hard wearing and waterproof pink mortar known as opus signinum. The platform defined the locations for the burials, arranged around three sides of the structure parallel to the walls. The mausoleum would have been used by wealthier members of Roman society. It may have been a family tomb or perhaps belonged to a burial club, where members would have paid a monthly fee to be buried inside. Archaeologists didn’t find any of the coffins or burials that would have originally been inside the mausoleum. However, over 100 coins were discovered, together with some scrap pieces of metal, fragments of pottery and roofing tiles. Furthermore, the area immediately surrounding the mausoleum contained over 80 Roman burials, which included personal items such as copper bracelets, glass beads, coins, pottery, and even a bone comb. This collaboration to safely excavate the site ahead of construction has now concluded. Yet, work to process and fully understand the finds continues. Among other areas of investigation, MOLA specialists will be working to pinpoint an exact date for the mausoleum. The site is being redeveloped as The Liberty of Southwark, a complex of offices, homes and shops that is a joint venture by Landsec and TfL. This will bring exciting contributions to the local area including increasing connectivity, creating jobs, enhancing Crossbones Graveyard, and providing much needed affordable workspace. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
UK Power Networks Services will complete electrical infrastructure upgrades to allow a new fleet of trains to operate on the Piccadilly line and improve reliability and service frequency. The project – which began in June 2022 and is scheduled to finish in June 2025 – will see UK Power Networks Services complete the design and construction works to upgrade several key electrical substations, and the installation of new electrical infrastructure, electrical control systems, and cables along key parts of the line. The initial framework contract runs for six years, with potential for two more. All this will increase electrical capacity to allow Transport for London (TfL) to launch a new fleet of air-conditioned modern trains with improved reliability, efficiency, and accessibility for passengers. Overall, the line upgrade will allow for a 23% uplift in peak capacity, with a train running on the line every 135 seconds at the busiest times from 2027. The announcement extends UK Power Networks Services’ longstanding portfolio on the London Underground. The infrastructure specialists have previously worked on several initiatives, including a major redevelopment at Liverpool Street as part of the Crossrail project, and 16 substation upgrades along the Metropolitan, Circle, Hammersmith & City, and District lines. The high voltage electrical upgrades will take place above and below ground at 21 electricity substations, with planned works at Cobourg Street, Manor House and Mansell Street. Electrical infrastructure benefits include the installation of new transformers, SCADA cabinets, an upgrade of the line’s cable network, and a host of structural improvements. Upgrades will be phased to minimise disruption for passengers, with the line scheduled to stay open throughout the project. Philip Heathcote, head of markets at UK Power Networks Services, said: We’re at our best when we partner with clients to make their long-term objectives a reality. Our teams are excited to bring their unique expertise to this long-term collaboration and add value though innovation, dedication, and a shared vision to make the London Underground more reliable for the future.
The idea is as ingenious as it is unique and has the potential to become a global role model: the Bunhill Heat and Power Network (BHPN) project in central London. By using waste heat from the London Underground network, 1,350 homes, a school and two leisure centers in Islington are now heated and supplied with hot water as part of the council’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and achieve CO2 neutrality by 2030. In partnership with main contractors Colloide Engineering Systems, global technology specialist GEA supplied a purpose built heat pump solution for this flagship project, the first of its kind in the world. Bunhill 2 Energy Centre represents a real blueprint for the use of waste heat from public facilities, taking advantage of state-of-the-art technology on the site of the former City Road London Underground station which was decommissioned almost 100 years ago. The remains of the station have now been converted into a huge underground air extraction system that draws warm air from the tunnels underneath, still used by the London Underground’s Northern Line. In close cooperation with Islington Council, Transport for London (TfL) and Colloide, GEA installed a 1000 kW ammonia heat pump, housed within a container at street level. The heat pump extracts the energy from warm exhaust air from the underground tunnels. The slightly cooler air is vented to the ambient and energy is used to heat up water by the heat pump, which is pumped through a 1.5 km network of district heating pipes to the buildings in the neighborhood, where it is finally used to heat the buildings. The heat pump developed and manufactured by GEA for the system consists of a combined evaporator/separator, three compressors and four heat exchangers in the heating circuit. The heat exchangers optimize the heating circuit according to criteria based on the return of heating water at 55 degrees Celsius and the supply up to 80˚C. According to Kenneth Hoffmann, Product Manager for Heat Pumps at GEA Refrigeration Technologies, there were many challenges in the design of the system during the project. These included extensive testing to ensure that dust and dirt sucked into the ventilation air would not clog the heat exchanger coil. Kenneth Hoffmann explained: “Since the project was located next to a residential building, the installation also included a scrubber technology to filter the ventilation air from the plant room. In the very unlikely event of a small amount of the natural refrigerant ammonia escaping into the plant room, the local residents would not be exposed to the ammonia in the air, as it would be absorbed in the scrubber before being vented to ambient. The use of heat pumps is much more environmentally friendly than the use of gas boilers, especially in big cities, as they do not emit nitrogen oxides (NOx). Heat pumps therefore lead to cleaner air in cities and pay off financially. Moreover, ammonia is a natural refrigerant that does not contribute to global warming.” Paddy McGuinness, Managing Director of Colloide Engineering Systems, added: “Colloide have been involved in a large number of renewable energy projects. Colloide partnered with GEA Refrigeration UK Ltd on this project for their knowledge of ammonia refrigeration and heat pump technology. Based on GEA’s experience, 95% of the industrial refrigeration plants installed over the last 10 years have been ammonia based. With the increasing pressure on end users to reduce energy bills, this has brought about a big increase in the interest of ammonia heat pumps.” The Bunhill 2 Energy Centre adds a further 550 homes and a primary school to the existing Bunhill Heat and Power district heating network, originally launched by Islington Council in 2012. The heating costs for residents connected to the network will be cut by 10 percent when compared to other existing communal heating systems, which themselves cost around half as much as standalone systems heating individual homes. So, a real benefit to the environment, to residents and to Islington with the aim of ending fuel poverty. The heating system is particularly environmentally friendly as it reuses heat that would otherwise be wasted. Supplying the connected households and public facilities with the upgraded waste heat will help to reduce CO2 emissions in the Islington Borough by around 500 tons per year. Shaun Hannon, Contracts Manager at Colloide, commented: “Thanks to the cooperation of all involved, this is a ground-breaking district heating scheme. The main technology used is the ammonia heat pump and as a result, this project provides cheaper, greener energy for the local community.” Iain Eckett, Technical Sales Manager, Refrigeration Technologies, GEA UK, concluded: “This was a very ambitious task. But we have shown that GEA has the knowledge, the technology and the ability to successfully implement innovative projects to generate cleaner and cheaper heating. We offer the most efficient solution at an attractive price.” The principle of heat recovery using heat pumps can be applied in London and in underground networks all around the world. London alone has more than 150 ventilation shafts where waste heat could potentially be recovered. GEA heat pump technology, coupled with the experience gained from groundbreaking projects like the Bunhill 2 Energy Centre in Islington, has made GEA a trusted and preferred partner for waste heat projects globally. Further information is available at www.gea.com
Policy Forum for London keynote seminar … Morning, Friday, 11th December 2020 Book Online | Live Agenda | CPD certified | Sponsorship | Our Website | @londonpolicy| Unsubscribe with Alex Williams, Director of City Planning, Transport for London Neil Henderson, Global Knowledge and Innovation Director, Transport and Key Account Leader, Mott MacDonald and Kirsty Hoyle, Transport For All; Adam Tyndall, London First; Dave Widger, AECOM; and a senior speaker confirmed from London TravelWatch *Please share this email with interested colleagues* Note: fees apply for most delegates, but concessionary and complimentary places are available [subject to terms and conditions – see below]. I’m inviting you to this conference, which will examine priorities and next steps for developing transport services and infrastructure in London – including moving on from the economic and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. [Book Online] The agenda: Priorities for developing London’s transport system – maximising economic contribution, and moving through the impact of COVID-19 The London bus network and services – rebuilding user confidence in public transport Delivering future transport projects in London – finance, planning and innovative practice Next steps for meeting passenger demand in London and improving service delivery The business case for transport development and accelerating infrastructure projects Expanding regional development – new rail infrastructure in London and increasing connectivity with the South East Transport connectivity and opportunities for London business Delivery of infrastructure projects and accelerating London’s economic recovery Transport, housing and regenerating London Accelerating decarbonisation across the transport network, preparing London for the low-carbon transition, and supporting active travel Moving forward the Mayor’s Transport Strategy, and overcoming challenges from COVID-19 [jump to full agenda] [Book Online] ***Full-scale policy conference taking place online*** [further details] A scan of the background and relevant developments: [back to agenda summary] COVID-19 – ongoing impact on staff welfare, passenger demands and attitudes, delivering safe capacity, continuing transport projects, and financially sustainability funding – the £1.6bn funding and financing package agreed between TfL and the DfT to protect current transport services and restore those that have been cut the government led financial review of Transport for London – agreed on as part of the funding package to identify options for strengthening TfL’s financial stability TfL’s Budget and Business Plan – for improving services and the physical infrastructure to boost capacity, such as overground line and signalling, creating more step-free access, and alleviating road congestion through highway, bridge, and tunnel development the Mayor’s Transport Strategy – remaining objectives including developing infrastructure resilience, enabling city-wide inter-modal transport, and expanding connectivity with the wider South East Gear change: a bold vision for cycling and walking – £2bn announced by the PM for expanding walking and cycling options nationally – including ‘Mini-Hollands’ in London – with new cycle and pedestrian routes, rolling out e-bikes for the elderly and longer distance journeys, and setting higher standards for cycling infrastructure the London Environment Strategy – including scaling up and facilitating healthier modes of transport, improving city-wide air quality, and encouraging the adoption of low-emission vehicles [Book Online here] The discussion in detail: [back to agenda summary] Public transport the London Transition Board – priorities for its strategy for transport and part of the response to the COVID-19 crisis and supporting recovery going forward restoring services – assessing prospects of a return to pre-pandemic levels, and initiatives for encouraging residents and commuters to begin using the public transport network scaling up – priorities for operators and their partners to enhance the frequency of bus, overground and tube services, implications of social distancing, and the task of rebuilding user confidence financial sustainability – options for restoring and maximising revenue generation, a medium and long-term financial and operational recovery plan, and minimising risks for infrastructure delivery collaboration and engagement – strategies for coordinating public and private project development, and giving a voice to passenger and community groups Infrastructure transport projects – examining their future across London, their scope and how they can be organised and targeted to best support the economy and the needs of different stakeholders the London Transport Strategy – assessing progress and the further measures needed to achieve core objectives, including infrastructure resilience, fitness for the future with a growing population, enabling intermodal transport city-wide, and expanding connectivity to Greater London and the wider South East regeneration – how best to accelerate and maximise the impact of transport infrastructure development: rail – priorities for new stations, services and line modernisation, expanding connections to Kent, Essex and elsewhere, and evaluating progress on Crossrail and Elizabeth line stations shovel-ready transport infrastructure projects – how to accelerate and coordinate finance, planning and other elements to move forward development supporting London businesses – assessing key areas such as reducing barriers to travel, trade and collaboration, and supporting productivity and economic activity in outer London the London Plan – its objectives around transport and housing development as a means of fuelling economic growth: the Housing Secretary’s concerns – on housing delivery and planning regulation coordination and connectivity – strategic development of transport links and unlocking potential for housing and wider property development, across the London region planning – the potential impact of the Planning for the future White Paper and its proposals for streamlining regulation on London and its economy Decarbonisation priorities and next steps – strategies and implications for health, transport businesses and the economy of decarbonising London’s transport system active travel – the Streetspace for London programme initiated in response to COVID-19, and opportunities for reforming road space for new cycle lanes, greater walking space and car-free zones accelerating the switch to low-carbon forms of transport – priorities for further public and private sector investment in electric public transport, working with local authorities and other stakeholders to roll out charging locations, and opportunities for ultra-low emission zones [Book Online] Policy officials attending Our forums are known for attracting 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Costain, the smart infrastructure solutions company, has been awarded a technology contract by Highways England, to work in collaboration with them, the Department for Transport, Transport for London (TfL) and Kent County Council to design, install and implement one of the UK’s first pilot connected vehicle corridors on a live road. Under the contract, known as the A2M2 connected corridor, Costain will deliver roadside technology using data supplied by TfL, Highways England and Kent County Council and a technology testbed for Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS). This flagship contract will help to promote the UK as market leader in Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) and C-ITS technology. “This is an important step in making our roads safer and improving journey time reliability by embracing cutting edge technology. It is a further demonstration of Costain’s capability and we look forward to leading the way with the deployment and testing of this exciting technology,” said Andrew Wyllie CBE, chief executive. Within the A2M2 connected corridor contract, Costain will be testing the wireless transmission of data to and from travelling vehicles. Trial vehicles will be fitted with onboard technology that will communicate with roadside units via ITS G5 wireless communication and with the service provider via cellular communication. This will convey information to the vehicle relating to road works, road conditions, temporary speed limits and the time remaining before a traffic light turns to green. This information could then be used by the vehicle to vary speed, for example. Information from the contract will be used to develop connected vehicle standards and facilitate a widescale deployment of connected vehicle technology. Costain will deliver this contract with core partners, Mott MacDonald, 4way Consulting, TRL, Kapsch TrafficCom AG, Altran, Cohda Wireless, Telent Technology Services Ltd and Telefonica. This contract win follows the announcement of the Group’s contract with Highways England to supply Motorway Incident Detection and Automated Signalling (MIDAS) technology systems to help improve road user safety and builds on the recent announcement of Costain’s key role supplying smart autonomous vehicle monitoring technology for the Midlands Future Mobility testbed.
