Our website uses cookies so that we can provide a better service. Continue to use the site as normal if you're happy with this, or find out how to manage cookies.
X

30.08.2012

First shipment of Crossrail spoil transported on Thames

Crossrail Media Release

The first shipment of Crossrail excavated material has arrived at Wallasea Island and will be used to create a new RSPB nature reserve. 560 tonnes of excavated material from construction sites in central London was shipped from the Docklands Transfer Station at Barking and arrived at Wallasea on 22 August at 8.20am for unloading.

First ship arrives at Wallasea Island with 560 tonnes of excavated materialA berthing trial was undertaken at Barking on 17 August with the ship returning on 20 August to start loading. The first shipment from Northfleet, with excavated material from Crossrail’s western tunnels, will take place later this year.

The RSPB and Crossrail have worked with local sailing clubs and the Crouch Harbour Authority to develop a shipping management plan to minimise the impact on harbour users during the delivery of excavated material to Wallasea Island. The Crouch Harbour Authority is responsible for controlling shipping movements to and from the Wallasea unloading facility as well as within the Rivers Crouch and Roach generally.

An anticipated 4.5 million tonnes of earth, excavated during Crossrail’s tunnelling operations in London, will be transported by ship to Wallasea Island in about 2,000 shipping movements over the next 4 years.

This unprecedented partnership of Europe’s largest engineering project and the biggest coastal wildlife project of its kind, will result in the restoration of a large part of rural Essex’s coastline.

For more information see the Crossrail website or contact the Crossrail Press Office on 020 3229 9552 or by email.