£7m power cable upgrade completed under South London railway and tramlines
UK Power Networks used horizontal drilling to avoid roadworks and keep trains running during the Sydenham to Churchfields project
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UK Power Networks has finished installing 9 km of 33,000-volt cables beneath South London’s roads, tramlines and a live railway. The £7 million project runs from Sydenham Park to Churchfields and was designed to upgrade the local electricity network without closing streets or halting train services.
The work used horizontal directional drilling, a method that avoids open trenches. A 50 cm tunnel was bored beneath the railway at Avenue Road Station, including a 100-metre stretch directly under active tracks. Passenger services continued as normal throughout the project, as reported by New Civil Engineer.
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Drilling method chosen to cut disruption
UK Power Networks said the technique was selected to reduce disruption for residents, road users and public transport. The company described it as a specialist approach that allows cables to be installed safely beneath railway infrastructure without major roadworks.
A report commissioned by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, produced by Ramboll in June 2026, noted that horizontal directional drilling has become a common method for underground cable installation in the UK. It allows work to proceed without extensive excavation, which cuts fuel use and carbon emissions compared with traditional cut-and-cover methods.
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The same report also highlighted risks, including borehole collapse and frac-out. Frac-out occurs when bentonite slurry, used to stabilise the borehole, escapes into the ground due to weak soil or excessive pressure. This can cause environmental contamination and project delays.
Project part of wider £30 million investment
The Sydenham Park to Churchfields scheme is one part of a larger £30 million programme. UK Power Networks is also replacing 132,000-volt and 33,000-volt cables between Beddington and Sydenham. The company said the two projects are closely coordinated to maximise efficiency and minimise disruption for local residents and businesses.
Claire Sheridan, UK Power Networks portfolio manager, said the route was challenging. It runs through a busy area with multiple underground utilities, residential streets, tramlines and an active railway. She described the drilling operation as complex, requiring four stages of widening to achieve the correct diameter for the ducts.
We’re installing modern cross-linked polyethylene cables, futureproofing the network and delivering a more resilient supply for our customers.
Jason Callaghan, UK Power Networks project manager
The project also included the installation of spare ducts. These will allow future upgrades to be carried out without further excavation, reducing the need for repeated disruption.
What happens next
The new cables are now in place and the drilling equipment has been removed. UK Power Networks has not announced any further works on this section of the network. Residents should see improved reliability of power supplies as a result of the upgrade.
Questions this report answers
+How much did the Sydenham Park to Churchfields cable project cost?
The project cost £7 million. It involved installing 9 km of 33,000-volt cables beneath roads, tramlines and a live railway to upgrade the local electricity network and improve reliability for residents.
+Did the work disrupt train services or close roads?
No, passenger services continued as normal and no major roadworks were required. The project used horizontal directional drilling to install cables beneath the railway and tramlines without halting transport or closing streets.
+What is horizontal directional drilling and why was it used?
Horizontal directional drilling is a trenchless method that bores a tunnel underground without open excavation. UK Power Networks used it to avoid disrupting residents, road users and public transport during the cable installation.
+Will there be more work in the area after this project?
The Sydenham Park to Churchfields scheme is part of a £30 million investment that includes a separate £20 million project between Beddington and Sydenham. No further works on this section have been announced, but spare ducts were installed to allow future upgrades without excavation.
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