Huge shafts excavated across London as part of the Tideway Tunnel super sewer project are being capped off after years of construction deep underground.

Concrete beams are currently being installed at three more sites in Battersea and Wapping which then see concrete slabs used to cap the shafts which range in depth from 35-65 metres across the project.

There are 21 shafts constructed on the Thames Tideway Tunnel which will be used to divert sewage flows from London’s existing Victorian sewage network to the new 25-kilometre tunnel.

With primary tunnelling completed in spring last year, secondary lining is ongoing on the final stretch between Chambers Wharf and Abbey Mills and many sites are now capping shafts to signal the end of the major underground works.

The first of six massive precast concrete cover beams were installed at Tideway’s Kirtling Street site. The beams each weigh 150 tonnes and were lifted into place by crane. Close by, the roof is also nearing completion at Heathwall Pumping Station.

At King Edward Memorial Park in Wapping, the first shaft cover beam weighing 140 tonnes was put into place which officially starts the cover slab works on the east section of the project.

Several of the slabs will be used to form seven new areas of public space along the river such as at Chelsea, Albert, and Victoria Embankments and at Blackfriars Bridge.