Construction Progress
Although we have temporarily slowed down construction over the last year, we continue to make good progress and currently have 1,100 people working on the project. The tunnel boring machine, which is being used to construct the underground MTS, has reached almost 30km from its starting point at Wilton International.
The project has broken a world record for the longest single tunnel drive using one tunnel boring machine, and the tunnel is now 80% complete. At Woodsmith Mine, the two 1,600 metres deep shafts are being sunk using innovative shaft boring roadheader machines.
We are continuing to sink the service shaft, which is now over halfway to its total depth, whilst the production shaft has been temporarily paused at over 700m. The two intermediate shafts along the tunnel route at Lockwood Beck and Ladycross Plantation have both been sunk to their full depths of 340 metres. The tunnelling crews are now accessing the tunnel boring machine from Ladycross Plantation.
Managing Construction Impacts
The key principle of minimising adverse impacts, whilst making a positive contribution to the local economy and community is central to our approach. We have almost 100 planning conditions in relation to a range of potential impacts including traffic and transport, lighting, noise and water management. We have a positive track record since construction commenced in 2017. We adhere to our planning conditions and always respond quickly to questions or concerns we receive from the community.