Tunnelling & timber headings in London
MCL Structural carries out tunnelling, timber headings and shafts across London. Headings are driven by hand by our own miners and timbered as the face advances, and shafts are sheeted or timbered at each lift. Sewer and service connections can then be made beneath roads, buildings and boundaries where an open trench is not possible.
Timbered shaft seen from the top
Tunnelling and heading works
Timber headings
Hand-driven headings supported with timber frames and boards, set as the face advances and built to the temporary works design.
Shafts
Access and working shafts supported with sheet piles or timber, with walings and frames set at each lift.
Sewer and storm connections
Headings driven to existing sewers, so new foul and storm connections are made below ground with a small working area at the surface.
Spoil removal
Spoil is lifted out of the shaft by skip and removed from site.
Mining equipment
Compressors, conveyor belts and mining equipment come from our own plant hire side.
Miners
The work is carried out by our own miners, who are also available through labour hire.
How a timber heading is built
Survey and price
We visit the site, review the engineer's drawings and price the work.
Sheet and set
Sheet piles are installed and the first timber frame is set at ground level.
Dig and frame
Each lift is excavated and the next frame is set, repeated to the required depth.
Complete and clear
Concrete is placed, spoil is removed and the site is handed back clean.
Frequently asked questions
What is a timber heading?
A timber heading is a small tunnel dug by hand and supported with timber frames and boards as it is excavated. It is used to lay or connect pipes and services beneath roads, buildings and other obstructions where an open trench is not practical.
When is a heading used instead of an open trench?
A heading is used where the route passes under a carriageway, a building, a boundary wall or existing services, or where the depth makes an open excavation impractical. The work is carried out from a shaft, so the area occupied at the surface is small.
How are the shafts supported?
Shafts are supported with sheet piles or timber, with walings and frames installed at each lift as the excavation goes down. The support follows the temporary works design for the site.
Do you make sewer connections from a heading?
Yes. Sewer and storm connections are part of our structural works. A connection to a public sewer needs the approval of the sewerage undertaker, which for most of London is Thames Water, and we work to the approvals in place for the project.
Can you supply miners or mining equipment only?
Yes. Miners are available through our labour hire side, and compressors, conveyor belts and mining equipment through plant hire.
What do you need to price a heading or shaft?
The engineer's drawings, the site address and the programme, with any information you hold on ground conditions and existing services. We review the drawings and arrange a site visit before we price.
Other services
Basements & underpinning
Basement construction and underpinning, excavated in sequence to the engineer's design.
Reinforced concrete frames
Steel fixing, formwork and concrete by our own trades.
Groundworks & deep drainage
Groundworks, deep drainage, site enabling, sewer and storm connections, and hoarding works.
Labour hire
Miners, groundworkers, steel fixers and other trades for sites across London.
Plant hire
Excavators, dumpers, mining equipment, shoring and 110V tools.
Planning a tunnelling or timber heading project?
Send us the engineer's drawings and we will arrange a site visit.
Contact MCL Structural
Call the office or send the form with the details of the work and the site address. Drawings and photos can be sent by WhatsApp.