Tideway Tunnel: The Making of London's Super Sewer with Matthew Parr, Deputy CEO at Tideway
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Tideway Tunnel: The Making of London's Super Sewer with Matthew Parr, Deputy CEO at Tideway

In this episode of the Exec Exchange podcast, host Piers Clark speaks with Matthew Parr, Deputy CEO at Tideway, about London’s 16 mile Thames Tideway Tunnel super sewer, designed to intercept sewage overflows into the River Thames and connect to the Lee Tunnel and sewage treatment works. Matthew shares his 30 year career and how he joined Tideway in 2011. The conversation explains why Sir Joseph Bazalgette’s system no longer has capacity for a population now over 8 million, and how the project helps address combined sewer overflows. Matthew outlines the project’s planning and novel delivery model, including government support for low probability risks, a £4.6 billion cost, activation in 2025, and over 19 million tons of sewage intercepted.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
00:31 Matthew Parr Career Path
01:56 What Is 'Thames Tideway Tunnel'
03:11 Why London Needed a Super Sewer
06:07 Funding and Novel Delivery Model
08:02 Progress Results and Costs
10:39 Legacy Vision and Commitments
12:08 COVID Construction Challenge
13:14 Wrap Up