Pic Cap: Page 1 - DLR Extension

CGL Rail, the private consortium building the œ200 million London Docklands Light Railway extension to Lewisham, held a Japanese "kagamiwari" or "breaking of the saki barrel" ceremony last week to mark the launch of its tunnel boring machine. The ceremony, organised by Japanese contractor Nishimatsu, is traditionally held at the start of construction to promote good luck and safety. It involves various key players dressing up in a ceremonial jacket and all breaking the barrel with a wooden hammer at the same time - after which everyone drinks from the ceremonial wooden cup. The TBM will tunnel under the River Thames. CGL Rail's sponsors are Mowlem, Hyder Investments, London Electricity and Mitsui. The construction joint venture comprises Mowlem Civil Engineering and MBK Rail Link Construction in joint venture with Nishimatsu Construction.