Kidbrooke

Overview

In Spring 2020 we embarked upon a £1 billion project to rewire South London via deep underground tunnels. In total, 32.5km of 3m diameter tunnels are being constructed deep below the road network between Wimbledon and Crayford, which will carry high voltage electricity cables.

Work has now begun to install cable brackets inside the tunnel from Eltham to Kidbrooke. Works will then commence to install monorail steel work from Kidbrooke to New Cross inside the tunnel.

As of early 2024, we are progressing with the construction of our headhouse on site to cover the shaft and provide ventilation and access to the tunnel once it has been finalised.

The LPT project, designed to bolster London's electricity network in response to increasing demand and support a net-zero future, is set to be fully operational by 2026.

Key facts

Dimensions: The shaft is approximately 10.5m in diameter and up to 19m in depth. The headhouse will have a footprint of 8.5m by 4.7m by 5m in height.
Access: Our construction vehicles will use Nelson Mandela Road to enter and leave the site.
Traffic: There is currently no expected increase in traffic expected on site. All construction vehicles entering and leaving the site will do so at peak times.
Working hours: Our current working hours are:
- Monday – Friday: 8am to 6pm
- Saturday: 8am to 1pm

Timeline

Spring 2022 – Works began on site
Summer 2022 – Shaft construction works began
Autumn 2023 – Tunnel boring completed along entire route of project
January 2024 – Works began to install cable brackets inside the tunnels from Eltham to Kidbrooke, then Kidbrook to New Cross
March 2024 – Headhouse construction began
2026 – Project expected to be fully operational

Address

Our site at Kidbrooke is located next to the National Maritime Museum on Nelson Mandela Road.

Community involvement

National Grid is committed to working with and supporting the local communities around its project sites. To support communities around the LPT project, National Grid and our partners are delivering:

Outreach programme: An engaging and impactful outreach programme for secondary school students in the local area, promoting engineering careers for our net zero future.
Community Grant Programme: Provision of financial support for local projects via our Community Grant Programme.
Volunteer days: Hands-on support provided by the project team via volunteer days conducted in the community.

In November 2023, we published a Social Impact Report for the LPT school outreach programme, which illustrates the social benefits the programme has delivered for young people across South London. Working alongside early-talent specialists, Connectr, we have supported over 100,000 young people during the initial three and half years of the programme – achieving our ambition of engaging over 100,000 students before 2025.