Deep beneath the bustling streets of London lies a world unknown to many – the realm of miners working on tunnel boring machines (TBMs). These massive machines are creating a new, hidden infrastructure for the city, including projects like the Silvertown Tunnel, Crossrail, and the Thames Tideway sewer system. The miners, who hail from various corners of the globe, work tirelessly in shifts of up to 12 hours as the TBMs chew through the underground at a rate of 16m per day.
Graham Clark and his son Liam, from Kent, are among the many miners dedicated to this challenging yet rewarding career. Graham’s introduction to mining came through the Channel Tunnel, where he found a passion that has kept him working underground for years. For Liam, it was a natural progression to join his father in the industry, starting straight out of school and never looking back. The tight-knit mining community is made up of individuals like Jack Doherty from Ireland, who sees mining as a family tradition inherited from generations past.
Living conditions for miners underground are basic but functional, with living quarters equipped with essential amenities like toasters and microwaves. At the mouth of every tunnel, a shrine to Saint Barbara, the patron saint of miners, stands as a symbol of protection for those delving into the depths of the earth. However, the geology underneath London has proven to be full of surprises, from chalk and flint to shifting sands that have posed challenges for the TBMs and their operators.
Despite the complex nature of the TBMs and the unexpected hurdles presented by the terrain, progress continues underground as the Northolt tunnels near completion. While the work goes unnoticed by many who live above the tunnels, the teams laboring below ground are inching closer to realizing their ultimate goal of connecting the network to Euston. With each successful breakthrough and conveyor belt hauling spoil out of the tunnel, the miners forge ahead in their mission to shape the subterranean landscape of London for generations to come
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