Holdfast Training Services Trial Blog

I can’t believe it has been that long since my last blog. Things have been quite busy here for me, however the site has progressed slowly. The original completion date for the shaft was the 9 Sept it then moved to 31 Oct, 7 Nov, 17, Nov and now it currently rests at 27 Nov. My hope is that I will see the final shaft construction complete before I leave for the 3rd phase placement.

As you can see from the overview below, we have only completed a very small part of the Fisher Street works. Once the Shaft has been completed the Crossover section will begin, taking approx 1 year to complete.

The process that we have used for the vertical excavation of the Shaft will be repeated for the horizontal sections of both the Adit eyes (the connection between the running tunnel and shaft) and the Crossover.

Looking in detail at the shaft there have been a number of phases that have been completed to ensure the overall success of the project. We are finally placing the Secondary/Insitu lining that will see the shaft completed

However, as all ways, it has not gone that smoothly. The idea was that a meter high ring would be poured each lift. Once the ring had reached a specific strength the shuttering would be lifted and another pour completed.

The plan was to complete three lifts per week. We have only achieved 1 per week. This has been due to a number of issues: cold joints being formed due to poor concrete delivery planning, cracks in the surface as Barhale forgot to spray the curing agent and the time it takes to deconstruct the shuttering and raise to the next level.

Whilst this has been going on I have been planning for the next phase. This has involved liaison with Camden Council again in order to secure a Section 61 for the Crossover works. Ordering new equipment, as Barhale leave on the 27th Nov along with all their equipment. Ensuring the new equipment is calibrated and conforms with the appropriate BS and CRL specs.

The planning of the next phase has raised other issues. The most significant has been the delivery process of concrete and ventilation to the Crossover Section. As a result we have had to enter Kings Tramway Tunnel (KTT) that runs perpendicular to the running tunnels. We are in the process of drilling holes from the KTT into the running tunnels, allowing ventilation and concrete delivery. The paperwork required to undertake works in a listed tunnel, such as KTT, has been vast. Not only are we producing Method Statements and Inspection Test Plans (ITPs) for Adit Eye breakout, Frame installation , Enlargement of the running tunnels etc, we are also producing documents for London Heritage. Nightmare!!!!!!

Although on the positive side of things TMR 3 finally got handed in and I have started work on AER3. Additionally I was collecting money yesterday for the London Poppy Appeal. Started at Fenchurch station at 0600hrs untill 1700hrs, raised a lot of money. As a reward went drinking with the Chelsea Pensioners, WOW they can drink!!!