PHD assist with first Crossrail tunnel bore
PHD have been awarded the mechanical access package by BAM Ferrovial Kier to provide the Hoist requirements that will allow the first of eight 1,000 tonne Tunnel Boring Machines to be assembled at Westborne Park.
Once assembled the first TBM will commence tunnelling from Royal Oak and will run 24 hours a day, 7 days a weeks, only stopping for scheduled maintenance.
To construct the 21km of twin-bore 6.2m diameter tunnel required for Crossrail, eight tunnel boring machines will be required.
The TBMs will bore the tunnelled section of the 118 kilometre rail line that will link the West (Maidenhead and Heathrow) with the East (Shenfield and Abbey Wood).
Crossrail is Europe's largest construction project and when completed will bring an extra 1.5 million commuters to Central London and reduce cross London journey times to less than 45 minutes.
