Arup ousts KBR on £80m Olympic tunnel

Building understands that Arup has replaced the American contractor KBR on the 12 km tunnel, which is being built to provide electrical power to the site.

KBR was appointed to the job by the London Development Agency, but was not retained after responsibility for the work passed to the Olympic Delivery Authority.

A spokesperson for the LDA said: “KBR were appointed early on in the project, while the Olympic Delivery Authority was being set up. The ODA already had Arup on board.”

Arup was a key consultant to London’s Olympic bid, and became a key adviser to the ODA after its inception.

Murphy was awarded the role of main contractor in April of this year, one of the first Olympic projects to be let.

Work on the tunnel had to be suspended in early July after a minor collapse occurred, caused by water leaking into the tunnel.

Separately, it has emerged that the Health & Safety Executive are investigating a number of accidents that have bedevilled the project.

One occurred on 24 July, when a worker was blinded after being hit by a compressed air hose. However, a spokeperson for the HSE said it was not yet classing this as a “major incident” because the worker may regain his sight.

The LDA spokesperson responded to this incident by saying: “We are introducing a rolling programme of mandatory eye protection where it is appropriate. On a project like this it is a learning process for us.

“We are optimistic of a full recovery although obviously it is an issue of concern.”

The spokesperson confirmed that there had been one other “reportable” issue on the project. The HSE said there had been an incident of grout in the eyes.