Riverlinx CJV (BAM Nuttall JV) – Silvertown Tunnel

Riverlinx CJV (BAM Nuttall JV) – Silvertown Tunnel

Project Overview

CA Drillers were engaged by Riverlinx CJV (BAM Nuttall Joint Venture) to deliver specialist demolition and concrete cutting services for the Silvertown Tunnel project, one of London’s major infrastructure developments connecting Silvertown and Greenwich beneath the River Thames.

The project required a range of advanced drilling, sawing, and demolition techniques to support the enabling works and structural preparation for the tunnel construction and the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) operations.

Deconstruction of the River Wall

The first stage of the project involved the deconstruction of the existing river wall, a complex operation that required precision and strict environmental controls.

CA Drillers used vertical stitch drilling from the landside to sever the wall into manageable sections. Once separated, these sections were carefully lifted out using Riverlinx machinery.

Due to the close proximity of the River Thames, strict water and slurry control measures were implemented to ensure that no slurry produced during drilling or sawing entered the river.

Concrete Cutting & Structural Works

Following the river wall works, CA Drillers carried out a variety of specialist cutting operations across multiple areas of the site.

This included floor sawing works, which were critical in initiating the open-cut phase of the tunnel construction. In addition, wire sawing operations were performed on existing UAE structures located within the development area.

Pile Cropping Works

The project also involved a large volume of pile cropping, where pile tops were trimmed to the required height to prepare them for further structural works.

To achieve this, CA Drillers used a combination of track sawing and Brokk robotic demolition equipment. A key requirement during this process was to retain the internal reinforcement bars (rebar) without causing any damage. All works were therefore carried out with precision and careful control to maintain the structural integrity of the piles.

Victorian Dock Wall Demolition

CA Drillers were later awarded the scope to demolish an existing Victorian dock wall that obstructed the planned trajectory of the Silvertown Tunnel.

For this heavy-duty demolition task, the team deployed Brokk 400 and Brokk 800 robotic demolition machines, enabling efficient and controlled removal of the structure while maintaining safety and precision.

Headwall Cut & Carve Operation

One of the most critical stages of the project was the headwall cut and carve operation, which prepared the structure for the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) to begin its journey from Silvertown to Greenwich.

This phase marked a key milestone in the project, as it enabled the TBM to make its initial breakthrough at Greenwich, forming the first section of the tunnel wall.

To facilitate the TBM’s successful exit, CA Drillers implemented a specialised drilling and sawing strategy. This involved drilling a series of holes around the circumference of the TBM machine and performing vertical track saw cuts within the headwall structure.

The objective of this intricate operation was to weaken the structural integrity of the wall in a controlled manner, allowing the TBM to penetrate and bore through safely.

Rapid Mobilisation & Project Delivery

This critical operation required meticulous planning and flawless execution. CA Drillers were given extremely short notice, receiving the mobilisation call on a Friday with instructions to commence works by Sunday.

Despite the tight timeline, the team successfully mobilised to site and completed the entire scope of works within the required timeframe by Wednesday.

Project Outcome

Through advanced cutting techniques, specialist equipment, and a highly skilled workforce, CA Drillers successfully delivered multiple complex operations on the Silvertown Tunnel project.

Their ability to mobilise quickly, manage environmental constraints, and execute precision demolition works contributed significantly to the successful progress of this major London infrastructure development.