Large JLE tunnels restart

Work is set to restart on the large diameter Jubilee Line Extension station tunnels at London Bridge and Waterloo, following the HSE ban on the use of NATM.

Conventional segmental linings and a shield will be used at Waterloo and a hybrid of NATM and conventional tunnelling methods at London Bridge.

NATM will be used as a temporary lining at London Bridge with permanent segmental lining installed immediately instead of an in situ concrete lining.

Urgent sequencing requirements at Waterloo meant that the JLE team could not afford to wait for an agreement to restart NATM. A shield and segmental linings were ordered soon after the NATM ban and will now be used.