£7m Sydenham cable project tunnels under railway without stopping trains
Engineers drilled a 100-metre tunnel beneath Avenue Road while trams and trains continued to run
Trust 50Craft 87Hype 15How this was reported ▾
Only one source with a named person, no documents or multiple outlets, limiting trust.
How well corroborated and evidenced the reporting is. Higher is better.
Clear impact, quotes manager, specific data, but no next steps outlined.
Context, balance and separation of fact from comment. Higher is better.
Measured language; headline accurately reflects article content.
How far presentation runs ahead of substance. Lower is better.
1 source assessed · methodology
Engineers have completed a 100-metre tunnel beneath a railway line in Sydenham without interrupting train or tram services. The work was part of a £7 million project to replace 9 kilometres of 33,000-volt underground cables between Sydenham Park and Churchfields.
UK Power Networks used a horizontal directional drill to bore beneath Avenue Road after reaching the railway line. The method avoided the need to lift tracks or close services, which would have caused delays for passengers.
£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
How the drilling worked
The drilling began with a small pilot hole, which was then widened four times to reach the required diameter. Once the tunnel was complete, ducts were pulled through to house the new cables. McCormack Drilling carried out the work.
Claire Sheridan, portfolio manager at UK Power Networks, said the site was challenging. Underground utilities, residential streets, tramlines and an active railway all constrained the project. The horizontal drilling method kept disruption to a minimum.
Lewisham Taxicard failure leaves disabled councillor waiting 90 minutes in 30°C heat
Maria McKenna abandoned her journey after an administrative error blocked her wheelchair-accessible taxi
“We’re investing around £30 million to replace 132,000-volt and 33,000-volt cables between Sydenham Park to Churchfields and Beddington to Sydenham. It’s an extremely busy route with lots of other utilities’ equipment underground, and above ground we are squeezed between residential streets, tramlines and an active railway.”
Claire Sheridan, portfolio manager, UK Power Networks
What residents can expect
The new cables are cross-linked polyethylene, designed to improve the reliability of local electricity supplies. Spare ducts were also installed to allow for future upgrades without further major excavation.
The project is part of a wider £30 million investment in the area’s electricity network. It has been coordinated with a separate £20 million scheme to upgrade 132,000-volt cables between Beddington and Sydenham.
What happens next
The new cables are now in place and should improve power reliability for homes and businesses in the area. No further major works are planned as part of this project, though the spare ducts will allow for future upgrades with minimal disruption.
Questions this report answers
+How much did the Sydenham cable project cost?
The project cost £7 million. It involved replacing 9 km of 33,000-volt underground cables between Sydenham Park and Churchfields, including drilling a 100-metre tunnel beneath Avenue Road to avoid disrupting rail services.
+Will there be more roadworks in Sydenham for electricity upgrades?
No further major works are planned as part of this project. Spare ducts were installed to allow future upgrades without extensive excavation, reducing the need for disruptive roadworks later.
+How was the tunnel drilled without stopping trains?
Engineers used a horizontal directional drill to bore a 100-metre tunnel beneath Avenue Road. The method involved drilling a pilot hole, widening it four times, then pulling ducts through, all while trains and trams continued running above.
+What are the benefits of the new cables?
The new cross-linked polyethylene cables should improve the reliability of local electricity supplies. The project also installed spare ducts, making future upgrades easier and less disruptive for residents.
WE FILE
No invented reporter. No hidden source trail.
The London Travel Desk assembled this report from the outlets listed below. Language-model drafting is reviewed under human editorial supervision, with scoring notes and corrections kept visible.
More Coverage in Projects
£7m power cable upgrade completed under South London railway and tramlines
Lewisham Taxicard failure leaves disabled councillor waiting 90 minutes in 30°C heat
Beckenham CPZ hours extended to midnight from 10 August 2026
