Lovell has paused construction on a nearby housing development in Charlton, south London, after three homes on Woodland Terrace suffered a partial collapse. Lovell took the decision to pause work while it works with the Royal Borough of Greenwich and other relevant parties to understand what happened. The cause of the incident has not been established. Lovell commissioned an independent structural engineer to carry out a visual survey of the properties.

British Tunnelling Society chair and Jacobs tunnels director for Europe Alastair Smith calls for earlier geotechnical investigation and constructability input in UK tunnel planning to cut redesign and delay on major schemes. Drawing on five decades of work on large-bore metro, water and road tunnels worldwide, he points to fragmented client governance and late contractor involvement as key causes of cost escalation. Smith urges standardised design frameworks and clearer risk allocation for ground conditions to speed delivery of long linear assets.

Network Rail has launched an Expression of Interest for a £77.6M multi-year framework to deliver geotechnical and civil engineering works across its Wales and Western regions, covering earthworks, structures and associated lineside assets. The framework is expected to package embankment and cutting stabilisation, retaining walls, culverts and bridge repairs into regional workbanks, with contractors providing design-and-build capability under railway possession and access constraints. Bidders will need proven experience in rail-adjacent geotechnics, temporary works and working under live traffic with tight blockade windows.