Ground preparation is under way to tackle sub‑optimal geology ahead of Lower Thames Crossing tunnelling, with drives under the river not due to start until late 2028. Tunnels director Alastair Lewis is sequencing works to deal with weak alluvium and variable chalk, aiming to stabilise the alignment before launching large‑diameter TBMs for the twin road tunnels. Early treatment of poor ground conditions is intended to reduce settlement risk for the approaches and portals and to de‑risk TBM performance beneath the Thames.

A catastrophic breach on the Llangollen Canal near New Mills Lift Bridge, Whitchurch has drained a long pound and damaged the embankment, despite recent routine inspections reporting no visible defects. Engineers from the Canal & River Trust are now investigating potential failure mechanisms, including internal erosion, leakage paths and historic construction weaknesses in the canal lining and embankment core. The incident raises immediate questions over current visual inspection regimes for ageing UK canal earthworks and whether more frequent intrusive or remote condition monitoring is needed on high-consequence reaches.

Geoquest Australia is deploying turn-key geotechnical systems to reduce geo-risk and weather-related damage to transport infrastructure under rising sea levels, higher rainfall intensity and more frequent extreme heat and fire events. The company is focusing on sustainably produced ground improvement and erosion control products, including stabilisation solutions for road embankments and coastal assets, to limit scour, slippage and pavement failure during intense storms. For asset owners, the approach points to integrated design–supply packages that combine geosynthetics, drainage and soil reinforcement to extend asset life and cut maintenance interventions.