uk tunnelling academy
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Leaving a skills legacy
Crossrail is developing a Tunnelling Academy to address the shortage of people with the necessary skills to work on the project. The Academy will be a purpose-built facility providing training on the key skills required to work in and around tunnel excavation projects.
By building and establishing a specialist Tunnelling Academy, Crossrail will build relationships and promote tunnel training across the industry. Crossrail is working closely on this with the relevant Sector skills Councils - ConstructionSkills and TunnelSkills. As well as industry bodies such as the British Tunnelling Society and other key tunnelling clients such as
London Underground, Thames Water, National Grid and EDF. Through these partnerships, we will ensure that industry gains the maximum benefit from the Academy and its legacy continues beyond the life of the Crossrail project.
Aldersbrook Sidings in Newham, off Romford Road by the (North Circular) A406 flyover, is the preferred site and negotiations have started with the British Railway Board to purchase the freehold. Crossrail will shortly be seeking planning permission from London Boroughs of Newham and Redbridge.
The Academy is expected to train some 3,000 people between now and 2015, providing the skills necessary for work in a variety of tunnelling roles. Working with its contractors, Crossrail will expect all personnel working underground to undertake training through the Academy to attain the Underground Safety Passport.
Architects impression of the Tunnelling Academy
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Skills Shortage
Key to ensuring Crossrail remains on time and within budget is the employment of the right people with the right skills to deliver the project.
Crossrail’s programme of work will reach its peak by 2015 at which point, up to 14,000 people will be working on the project, 3,500 of these will be working in the tunnels. Skilled tunnellers are of vital importance for the delivery of Crossrail. However, over the last 30 years the tunnelling industry has suffered from cyclical peaks and troughs of work which have meant that it has been unable to maintain a large experienced workforce due to the lack of continuity of employment.
In addition to Crossrail, there are a number of major schemes in the London area, such as London Underground line upgrades between 2010 and 2014, Thames Water tunnels – Thames
Tunnel (2012-2020) and Lea Tunnel (2009-2014), and a number of National Grid tunnels (2009-2016). On an international level, there is the £2.5bn expansion of the Copenhagen Metro, and the €3bn Dublin Metro will be delivered between 2009 and 2018. All these projects will be competing for skilled labour and it is expected that labour demand will far outstrip supply.
Whilst the UK has tunnelling expertise and knowledge there is not a purpose-built training facility in the UK that is a focal point for the industry. We have researched current tunnel training provision in the UK and have concluded that it does not meet the needs of the Crossrail workforce either in terms of capacity or specialisms.
By working with industry, professional bodies and other organisations that carry out tunnelling work, Crossrail will be contributing to the development of new qualifications and the improvement of health and safety standards across the industry.
Architects impression of the Tunnelling Academy
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Location of theTunnelling Academy
The site identified for the Tunnelling Academy is the former Aldersbrook Sidings site, which is situated on former railway land located to the west of Ilford Station.
Most of the site lies in the Newham, and a small element is in Redbridge. The site at Ilford represents a unique opportunity to provide a suitable location for the development of the Academy.
The proposed site for the Academy is “self contained”. There are railway sidings to the north, the Alders Brook to the south-west and the River Roding to the east all define the sites boundary. The site is landlocked and can be reached via Lugg Approach, the only point of vehicle access, which in turn leads to the Romford Rd (A118). An existing foot bridge for the pedestrian access is located under the flyover but may be discounted for future use.
The North Circular A406 flyover bisects the eastern section of the site, approximately 13m above ground is supported by a number of large concrete pillars. The National Grid’s overhead HV cables also cross the site from east to west with a pylon in the western corner of the site.
There will be a dedicated pedestrian route for all staff, students and visitors to the main entrance of the building. All vehicles will follow a separate anti-clockwise route around the perimeter of the site. The Academy building has two main active frontages. The main frontage is that facing Lugg Approach, and will be the main entrance into the facility.
The other main frontage will be the outside construction and general construction equipment training area to the north and the access area for the spray concrete facilities at the back of the building. Areas with outdoor construction activities have been placed furthest away from pedestrian movements and residential developments.
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Site location plan
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Training provision
The Academy will be a purpose-built facility providing training on the key skills required to work in and around tunnel excavation.
It will also ensure that all personnel working underground on the project achieve the Underground Safety Passport before working on any Crossrail site, in line with Crossrail’s strict standards on safety.
The main training building, will need to be a maximum height of 13 metres. This will permit sufficient safe working space between the different activities and to be able to recreate the scenarios expected underground. The Tunnelling Academy will contain a variety of training facilities. Training specific to tunnelling expected to take place in the main training building include:
Tunnel construction (a narrow gauge railway • line will bring in materials and be used for training around pit top/pit bottom support as well as Tunnel Boring Machine back up support training)Tunnel Boring Machine activities (this • will cover training on equipment such as segment erectors, ring build and grout supply. Equipment required will include a Tunnel Boring Machine and a back up gantry to simulate tunnel boring activity)Tunnel Boring Machine back up support • (this will cover training in power, lighting, communications etc, services which need to be extended in the tunnel as the TBM moves forward)
Spray concrete lining (taught in • environmentally-controlled conditions to simulate those in a tunnel under construction)Spray concrete lining support (including work • on ribs, mesh and anchors and requiring equipment such as cherry pickers and drilling equipment)Grouting technology (requiring mixing • equipment, access platforms, pumps etc. Both conventional and specialist grouting techniques will be taughtPlant equipment and its maintenance (to be • taught in an area outside the main training facility and also in conjunction with other National Skills Academies)General construction trades (scaffolding, • carpentry/joinery, steel fixing etc as they would be applied in a tunnelling environment)Pit top/pit bottom support (training will be • provided on loco driving, train maintenance and train assembly and loading).
Areas for Spray Concrete Lining and grouting will be provided. These areas will provide trainees with the opportunity to learn in environmentally controlled conditions to simulate those in a tunnel under construction. To enable environmental control of dust and noise, the service entrances which allow materials to be brought into the building will be on a separate route from pedestrian routes, thereby reducing the risk of accidents.
The overall aim of Academy space is to replicate the tunnelling environment and to enable training on key pieces of equipment, as would be found in a tunnel.
Training on key pieces of equipment
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Potential Impacts
We have carefully considered the environmental impacts of the proposed Academy, and have built in mitigation measures to deal with these impacts.
For example, the building itself will include extensive noise insulation to ensure that activities there do not impact upon nearby residents. The most noisy activities have also been located furthest away from residential properties. We have
been working with the Environment Agency to ensure that the flood plane of the river and brook are not adversely affected, and will be providing tree planting to help screen views of the facility from Lugg Approach and Romford Rd.
To enable environmental control of dust and noise, the service entrances which allow materials to be brought into the building will be located away from nearby properties, and will be on a separate route from pedestrian routes, thereby reducing the risk of accident.
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Proposed layout of the Tunnelling Academy
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Partnerships and Benefits
Crossrail is engaging with industry representatives and training providers on the design of the Academy and its curriculum.
An industry forum was held on 30 September 2009. Approximately 90 representatives from 40 different companies from the tunnelling industry attended. Delegates were presented with a report on the progress of the Tunnelling Academy, its design and curriculum development. They were asked to pledge their support for the Academy’s development and the principles on which it is based. Many of the attending companies have already returned letters of support, including:
The British Tunnelling Society;• Shanghai Tunnelling Engineering Corporate;• J Murphy & Sons;• Jacobs;• 4D (a joint venture between United Utilities, • Costain and MWH);Barhale Construction plc; and• Dragados-Sisk Joint Venture. • Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering Ltd• BAM Ferrovial Kier JV• Beton- und Monierbau• Costain Skanska Bilfinger Berger JV• IPS Group• Sisk• VINCI Construction UK Ltd•
Through ConstructionSkills and Tunnel Skills, who in collaboration with Crossrail are developing the Academy curriculum, and the British Tunnelling Society, who represent the tunnelling industry and its contractors, there has been significant industry engagement to date.
A number of universities have expressed interest in utilising the Academy’s facilities to support their own academic teaching (Foundation, Bachelor and Master Degrees in Civil Engineering with modules supporting tunnelling and research) and to contribute to appropriate teaching at the Academy.
Due to this unique standing, it is envisaged that the Academy will become a centre of excellence in tunnelling training, and its influence will reach into Europe and beyond. It is hoped that through partnership with other tunnelling organisations and by establishing itself as a National Skills Academy, the Academy will provide skills training for the industry to deliver projects well beyond Crossrail’s life time.
Cutter head of a tunnel boring machine
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Key milestones
Tunnelling Academy construction timings:
Date ActivityOngoing Draft Specifi cation and
Academy Business Plan drawn up
Nov 2009 toFeb 2010
Planning application process
June to Oct 2010 Training equipment and facilities sited at Academy
Jan to April 2010 Liaison with contractors to identify specifi c training needs/requirements
Feb to Dec 2010 Buildings erected/refurbished
April to June 2010 Trainers identifi ed, employed and trained – ‘Training the Trainers’
The Future of the Academy
It is expected that the industry will use the Tunnelling Academy to train and develop workers for a wide variety of planned tunnelling projects, many of them in and around the south east of the UK. Crossrail will establish the Tunnelling Academy as an independent facility with the ability to be self-supportive in terms of fi nance and governance. This will not only leave a legacy for the industry, but importantly will continue to provide a specialist-learning
Crossrail have certain planning powers granted under the Crossrail Act 2008. It is intended to use these powers and submit Schedule 7 applications to both Newham and Redbridge at the end of 2009, closely followed by Town Planning applications shortly afterwards. The boroughs may choose to consult locally on those applications when they are submitted.
centre able to offer formal qualifi cations including apprenticeships. Key to this success will be maintaining a strong relationship with TunnelSkills and tunnelling contractors, and reacting positively to changes in tunnel construction methods and skills gaps. Crossrail will continue to engage with universities as part of the Tunnel Academy operating model, and hopes to offer both research and Masters study opportunities.
Cutter head of a tunnel boring machine
Further information can also be obtained from the 24 hour, 7-days a week Crossrail Helpdesk:
Telephone: 0345 602 3813 Email: [email protected]
Or write to: Crossrail FREEPOST NAT6945 London SW1H 0BR
Crossrail also has a website where there is more information about the railway and its construction - www.crossrail.co.uk
You can write your comments in the box below, send a letter or let us know at one of the drop-in sessions.
Consultation on this proposal ends on the 11 December 2009. If you have any queries about Crossrail or the Tunnelling Academy in the future please contact the helpdesk. TUNNELLING
ACADEMY
Keeping Communities InformedHelpdesk 0345 602 381324 hours a day, 7 days a week
Your comments:
Please send your comments to:Crossrail, FREEPOST NAT6945,London, SW1H 0BR,or email [email protected]
Through these partnerships, we will ensure that the Academy’s legacy continues beyond the life of the Crossrail project.
The Academy is expected to train some 3,000 people between now and 2015, providing the skills necessary for work in a variety of tunnelling roles. Working with its contractors, Crossrail will expect all personnel working underground to undertake training through the Academy to attain the Underground Safety Passport.
Tunnelling Academy construction timings:
Date ActivityOngoing Draft Specifi cation and
Academy Business Plan drawn up
Nov 2009 toFeb 2010
Planning application process
June to Oct 2010 Training equipment and facilities sited at Academy
Jan to April 2010 Liaison with contractors to identify specifi c training needs/requirements
Feb to Dec 2010 Buildings erected/refurbished
April to June 2010 Trainers identifi ed, employed and trained – ‘Training the Trainers’
Helpdesk 0345 602 381324 hours a day, 7 days a week
This leafl et explains the proposals and seeks your comments. The sessions will be:
London Borough of NewhamMonday 16 November 1pm – 8pmTuesday 17 November 1pm – 8pmThe Froud Community Centre,1 Toronto Avenue (Romford Road) Manor Park, London, E12 5JF.
London Borough of RedbridgeFriday 20 November 12noon - 7pmIlford Central Library (York Room),Clements Road, Ilford, IG1 1EA.
What we are proposingThere is currently not a purpose-built training facility for tunnelling in the UK that is such a focal point for the industry.
By establishing a specialist Tunnelling Academy, Crossrail will promote tunnel training across the UK construction industry and build a partnership of industry and academia. Crossrail is working closely on this with the relevant Sector Skills Councils - ConstructionSkills and TunnelSkills - industry bodies such as the British Tunnelling Society and other key tunnelling clients such as the Underground, Thames Water, National Grid and EDF.
Crossrail is a world-class, affordable railway that will be delivered safely through effective partnerships, linking Maidenhead to Shenfi eld through a tunnel under central London.
It will help to bring new jobs, quicker journeys, easing congestion on London’s transport system with more frequent trains to and through the centre of London.
Crossrail is developing a Tunnelling Academy to address the shortage of people with the necessary skills to work on the project. The Academy will be a purpose-built facility providing training on the key skills required to work in and around a tunnel excavation environment.
Aldersbrook Sidings in Newham, off Romford Road by the (North Circular) A406 fl yover, is the preferred site and negotiations have started with the British Rail Board to purchase the freehold.
Crossrail is currently seeking planning permission from the London Boroughs of Newham and Redbridge. Both local authorities are supportive of the proposals for the Academy.
Drop-in sessionsThree drop-in sessions are being held where the proposals will be displayed and Crossrail staff will be on hand to discuss them with you.
View
ViewView
Arrival
A406Fly-over
Golf Course
Car Showroom
Industrial
Industrial
Alders Brook
Residen alDevelopment
River Roding
Ilford
Residen al
Entrance
Proposed layout of Academy building