£7m power upgrade drills beneath Sydenham railway without stopping trains
Nine kilometres of 33,000-volt cables installed underground to improve local electricity supply
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Engineers have completed a £7 million underground power upgrade beneath a busy railway line in Sydenham, south London. The project involved laying nine kilometres of 33,000-volt cables without interrupting train services or local traffic. UK Power Networks said the new infrastructure will improve electricity reliability for thousands of customers in the area.
How the work was done
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The installation used horizontal directional drilling to create a 50-centimetre tunnel beneath Avenue Road Station. This method allowed engineers to pull cables through the tunnel while trains continued running above. The technique avoided major roadworks and minimised disruption to passengers and motorists, as reported by This Is Local London.
The drilling process began with a small pilot hole, which was gradually widened four times to reach the required diameter. Once the tunnel was complete, ducts were pulled through to house the new cables. UK Power Networks coordinated the work with Transport for London, Network Rail and the local council to ensure safety and efficiency.
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Why the upgrade matters
The new cables, made of cross-linked polyethylene, are designed to future-proof the local electricity network. UK Power Networks project manager Jason Callaghan said the upgrade would deliver a more resilient power supply for customers. The project also included installing spare ducts to support future network expansions.
Claire Sheridan, portfolio manager at UK Power Networks, said the company is investing around £30 million to replace cables between Sydenham Park, Churchfields and Beddington. She described the horizontal directional drilling as a complex operation that kept trains running and streets open during the work.
This was a challenging project given the tight suburban location, railway infrastructure, and utilities to be negotiated by HDD.
Fintan McCusker, McCormack Drilling
Environmental and community impact
The project adhered to the Groundwater Regulations 2009 and industry standards for environmental stewardship. UK Power Networks said the work was closely coordinated with the £20 million Beddington, Sydenham 132,000-volt project to maximise efficiency and reduce disruption for residents and businesses.
Richard Fisher, client delivery lead at Savills Utilities and Infrastructure, said close coordination between teams was essential to secure consents and maintain relationships with stakeholders. The project involved multiple contractors, including McCormack Drilling and Clancy, who worked together to overcome engineering challenges in the suburban location.
What happens next
The newly installed cables are now part of the local electricity network. UK Power Networks has not announced further works in Sydenham, but the spare ducts installed will allow for future upgrades without additional drilling. Residents should see improved power reliability as a result of the upgrade.
Questions this report answers
+How much did the Sydenham power upgrade cost?
The project cost £7 million. It involved installing nine kilometres of 33,000-volt cables beneath a railway line in Sydenham. The work is part of a broader £30 million investment to improve local electricity infrastructure.
+Will train services be affected by the power upgrade?
No, train services continued running as usual. Engineers used horizontal directional drilling to install cables underground without disrupting rail operations. The method also avoided major roadworks in the area.
+What are the benefits of the new power cables?
The new cables will provide a more reliable electricity supply for thousands of customers in Sydenham. They are made of cross-linked polyethylene, which is designed to future-proof the network. Spare ducts were also installed to support future upgrades.
+Who was involved in the Sydenham power upgrade?
UK Power Networks led the project, working with Transport for London, Network Rail and the local council. Contractors included McCormack Drilling and Clancy. Savills Utilities and Infrastructure provided support for consents and stakeholder engagement.
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