Tunneling

Thames Gateway

Sykes has provided equipment to various utilities contractors throughout the Thames Gateway. This has included dedicated solutions for major sewer renovations and cable tunnels. Because Sykes offers a genuine 24/7 service and is ideally located in Charlton and Basildon, solutions can be provided within hours to minimize downtime and keep road closures to a minimum.

Docklands Light Railway

For the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), in a two-year project for a big-name contractor, an initial pumping system was designed and installed by Sykes Pumps to provide pumping for a tunnel-boring machine. Sykes submersible pumps were then supplied in shafts to remove groundwater, and diesel pumps provided for drainage and utilities, including sewage over-pumping. Sykes experts worked closely with the contractors on all projects to ensure they achieved their deadlines within budget.

London Underground: Jubilee Line

Over a four-year period, Sykes supplied diesel, submersible and air pumps to support various critical applications for London Underground’s Jubilee Line, for a huge range of contractors. This included dewatering of tunnel shafts, tunnels and utilities diversions (sewage and gas). Pumps were also provided to the piling contractor: electric-driven self-priming units for pumping slurry. Sykes were selected to work with London Underground because of their extensive range of equipment and excellent record of delivering on time.

Power Station

At a large power station in Greater London, Sykes provided a contractor with reliable equipment over 25 weeks for work in cooling water tunnels, over 40m deep, that extended into the Thames. The water was laden with sand that causes excessive wear to standard pumps, Sykes therefore manufactured pumps of hard iron construction to enable tunnel-boring machines to continue. To avoid diesel fume contamination and keep noise levels down, the pumps were driven by electric motors. This technicaly challenging project could only be undertaken and successfuly completed by Sykes because of their expertise and experience.