Chris M
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Post by Chris M on Apr 11, 2013 18:20:05 GMT
For those wanting to view the Connaught Tunnel demolition and rebuilding, then the next few weeks are when it will be visible.
They have started draining the Connaught Passage between the Royal Albert and Royal Victoria docks after building substantial dams either side. The draining isn't going as quickly as I expected, as the water level doesn't appear to have changed much between Monday and today, but I'd guess that it will be fully exposed by next weekend at the latest.
The best view is from the adjacent footbridge, which is presently most easily accessed from Prince Regent.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2013 8:43:39 GMT
A few pictures in the set North Woolwich crossrail on flickr. I haven't separated things out so it covers the whole section from North Woolwich to Royal Victoria. Last Saturday they were still installing bracing.  RIMG1533 by unravelled, on Flickr Thanks Dave |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2013 20:27:53 GMT
For those wanting to view the Connaught Tunnel demolition and rebuilding, then the next few weeks are when it will be visible. They have started draining the Connaught Passage between the Royal Albert and Royal Victoria docks after building substantial dams either side. The draining isn't going as quickly as I expected, as the water level doesn't appear to have changed much between Monday and today, but I'd guess that it will be fully exposed by next weekend at the latest. The best view is from the adjacent footbridge, which is presently most easily accessed from Prince Regent. Went down there today and it still is draining! taking ages for some reason. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2013 20:43:23 GMT
For those wanting to view the Connaught Tunnel demolition and rebuilding, then the next few weeks are when it will be visible. They have started draining the Connaught Passage between the Royal Albert and Royal Victoria docks after building substantial dams either side. The draining isn't going as quickly as I expected, as the water level doesn't appear to have changed much between Monday and today, but I'd guess that it will be fully exposed by next weekend at the latest. The best view is from the adjacent footbridge, which is presently most easily accessed from Prince Regent. Well at last this week they finished draining the dock! Work has now started to dig in the dock - I thought the tunnel roof would be viable as there was reports that ships used to scrape the tunnel roof? but its looks like lots of concrete covers the tunnel. Are you saying the tunnel is being rebuilt Chris? so they will demolish that section? Thanks Dan |
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Chris M
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Posts: 19,397
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Post by Chris M on Apr 27, 2013 21:47:53 GMT
My understanding is that the reason for draining the dock is to demolish an rebuild the tunnel (effectively cut and cover). I was there again on Thursday and they had just finished draining as much as they needed to as it looked like they were lifting a pump back to the surface. The tunnel roof may be there, but there is a lot of mud - with the closure of the docks there wont have been any need to dredge as much. Even the cruise ships that were there during the Olympics didn't go through the passage (I don't know if they'd have fit?) and the boat show vessels wont have anything like that requirement for draught. I've managed to find that the maximum draught of the King George V dock was 10m (36ft) but I've failed to locate any other dimensions, including whether the Royal Victoria Dock had a shallower draught. There is an interesting blog post about the work here: constructionetc.wordpress.com/2013/04/17/connaught-tunnel-crossrail-works/ |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2013 12:15:21 GMT
I think the depth of the Royal Albert is the same as the Victoria. Many years back we kept our preserved buses in Shed 11 (Albert Dock) and I recall having a chat with someone from The Port of London Authority who owned the docks. He stated 36 feet too.
I also had the unique opportunity to travel on The London Sampson, the boat which removed many of the docks cranes. This entailed moving the cranes from one dock to another. Many on the south side of the Victoria actually started on the north. I watched them moving them about from the quayside. Taking a chance I asked if I could ride on the boat which they readily agreed. Best view point was the very front of the boat. I was due to doing late turn later that day on the Central Line and was in my LUL uniform.
The Connaught was then opened for us to travel through causing disruption to local traffic (and buses). As we passed through the gap between the two docks, a London Buses inspector happened to be standing on the edge of the road by the swing bridge watching events. He had a bit of a shock to see someone in LUL uniform standing on the front of the boat.
The original swing bridge which sat over the top of the Connaught Tunnel was unusual in that it could accommodate road, rail and pedestrian traffic. Gone now of course.
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