Project Description

The London Power Tunnels 2 project is a major National Grid infrastructure programme aimed at upgrading London’s electricity transmission network through a new 32 km system of deep cable tunnels, constructed beneath the capital.

Joseph Gallagher Ltd was selected to provide specialist labour supply packages and deliver contracted shaft works at several strategic sites. JGL supported two major TBM drives and six shaft locations, ensuring HMJV maintained programme milestones across the multi-phase tunnelling works.

Joseph Gallagher Ltd often achieved record-breaking advance rates of 50 meters in a 24 hour period whilst ensuring a top-quality end product was achieved in a safe manner.

Scope of Works Delivered by Joseph Gallagher Ltd

Joseph Gallagher Ltd’s involvement covered a combination of labour supply and direct contracted works, depending on the operational requirements at each location.

TBM Labour Supply Packages

Kings Avenue TBM
JGL supplied specialist tunnelling labour to support the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Kings Avenue TBM, including:

TBM Operators
Miners and Ring Builders
Locomotive Operators
Full TBM Mining and pit bottom Chargehands
Shift Supervisors & Pit Bosses

Hurst TBM Drive
A second major labour provision supported the Hurst TBM, where JGL provided:

Full tunnelling crews for day and night shifts
Experienced miners crews and TBM operators

Shaft Works Support – Labour Supply & Contracted Delivery

Joseph Gallagher Ltd played an essential role in the construction and operational support of key LPT2 ventilation and access shafts:

New Cross Shaft
Eltham Shaft
Hurst Shaft
Bengeworth Road Shaft
Kidbrooke Shaft

Labour Supply Package

Full tunnelling teams and lifting crews
Mining crews and SCL teams
Fitters/Electricians for plant and equipment
Multi-skilled shaft operatives
Operative supply for shaft excavation works
Structural and civils support
Lifting, slinging, and logistics teams
Safety supervision and site support operatives

Across all shafts, Joseph Gallagher Ltd provided 24/7 cover along with supervision, and integrated planning with HMJV management teams. Joseph Gallagher Ltd supplied over 80 highly skilled tunnelling and shaft operatives, each with validated competencies for deep shaft and TBM operations. A Joseph Gallagher Ltd resource manager worked directly with HMJV’s construction leads to forecast labour requirements, manage shift patterns, and respond to unplanned changes.

Award-Winning Behavioural Safety – LIFE programme Joseph Gallagher’s prides itself on their LIFE behavioural safety programme where we bring a workforce that’s embedded into a industry-leading culture.

Joseph Gallagher Ltd is able to seamlessly integrate its LIFE programme in a synergistic way with any behavioural programmes the project is operating to further enhance the project. Joseph Gallagher Ltd's labour contributed to high advance rates on the Kings Avenue and Hurst TBM drives, supporting HMJV’s ability to meet critical tunnelling milestones. There is a strong focus on safety and programme on every project. The Hurst TBM drive accounted for 2.5 months of the tunnelling programme.

Joseph Gallagher Ltd played a crucial role in the successful delivery of the London Power Tunnels 2 project, supporting both major TBM drives and a series of complex deep shafts for the Hochtief &Murphy Joint Venture. By providing a highly skilled, safety-focused, and flexible workforce that combined with direct contracted shaft packages Joseph Gallagher Ltd was able to help HMJV deliver one of London’s most significant underground infrastructure programmes safely and efficiently, whilst delivering a top notch end product to the client.