Infrastructure services firm AECOM has started work on a major programme of ground investigations and surveys along the 14.5 mile route of the planned Lower Thames Crossing.
It follows the appointment by Highways England of Perfect Circle– a consortium of Pick Everard, Gleeds and AECOM – to the scheme, procured via the Scape National Built Environment Consultancy Services (BECS) framework.
With the scheme comprising link roads as well as a tunnel, AECOM is undertaking a range of investigations for the project across sites in Kent, Thurrock and more widely in Essex, to gather information about the ground and groundwater conditions along the route to help inform planning, design and construction. The investigations will also include tests under the Thames.
Patrick Cox, AECOM lead for the Lower Thames Crossing ground investigations programme, said: ‘Our complex programme of ground investigations is a vital step forward for this transformational project, providing Highways England with critical information on the ground conditions along the route to support planning and design.
‘With such a large team delivering the investigations, we're working closely and collaboratively with the client, their team, our partners and sub-consultants to achieve the highest benchmarks in terms of health and safety, collaboration and technical quality.'
Scape Group chief executive Mark Robinson said: ‘I'm always delighted to see projects of this scale benefit companies of all shapes and sizes. Perfect Circle, supported by a 27,000 strong supply chain, has a vast pool of expertise that will welcome the opportunity to work on a project of this nature.'
The Lower Thames Crossing is one of the Government's top 40 infrastructure projects in its National Infrastructure Plan and would increase road capacity across the Thames, improve journey times along parts of the A127 and M20 and aims to cut congestion on approach roads to the Dartford Crossing.
The new crossing will boost local, regional and national economies, and form an essential part of the UK's transport infrastructure.
AECOM is working in collaboration with Highways England's technical partner LTC Cascade, as well as key sub-consultants Geotechnical Engineering, Socotec, Structural Soils, Soil Engineering and Fugro to deliver the project.
