Millicent, the first tunnel boring machine (TBM) to be launched from Kirtling Street, passed the halfway point of her tunnel drive towards Carnwath Road in Fulham as she reached 2,492 metres. More than 1,300 segmental concrete rings have been installed on the westbound drive to line the tunnel, with each weighing around over 30 tonnes. 

Millicent, named after famed suffragist Dame Millicent Fawcett, launched late last year and has so far passed the Royal Hospital Chelsea and recently moved beyond Battersea Bridge. Following the River Thames, she will complete her journey at Carnwath Road, Tideway’s western drive site. Works at the Chelsea Embankment, Cremorne Wharf and Falconbrook Pumping Station will also connect into this section of the tunnel.

Millicent’s drive recently became the longest tunnel beneath London’s famous river, beating the previous record of 1.3km set by the HS1 tunnel, which crosses between Kent and Essex at Ebbsfleet.

Paul Hallows, Site Manager for Kirtling Street said, “There are a number of milestones on each tunnel drive but of course reaching the half way point efficiently and safely is a huge achievement for everyone involved. We will all, jointly, look to maintain these high standards as we push on to complete this drive.”

Ursula, the second TBM to be launched from Kirtling Street, has travelled 400m on her 7.5km journey towards Chambers Wharf in Bermondsey.