Ground investigations continue for Crossrail

Cross London Rail Links (CLRL)has been digging boreholes along the Crossrail Line 1 preferred route to examine the ground conditions that will be encountered by Crossrail tunnels.

"Boreholes are important to the Crossrail Project, as they declare the condition of the ground which Crossrail will have to tunnel through. The conditions at the tunnel's depth will help to design the tunnel boring machines to minimise ground settlement on the line of the route," said Bernard Gambrill, CLRL's head of public affairs.

Engineers from Norwest Holst are investigating the quality of the ground to assist in compiling a geological model in preparation for the construction of a tunnel running from the Isle of Dogs to Custom House, the new EXcel exhibition centre.

Norwest Holst site agent Steve Cook said: "The work has gone well and now the samples will have to be analysed in a laboratory."

Although Crossrail is awaiting an announcement from the government concerning the next stage of the project, advance development work still has to be carried out.

"The Crossrail development work has to be conducted to enable the project to be constructed on programme," said Gambrill.