Rising groundwater levels beneath London – an update

Abstract

Follows a previous article (Structural Survey 6.3) in tracing rises in groundwater levels beneath London between 1985 and 1990, drawing particularly on a 1989 report published by the Construction Industry Research and Information Association. Points out that although no damage has been (at the time of writing) recorded in London due to rising groundwater levels, heavy expenditure has been incurred in designing contingency measures into new buildings (cites St Pancras Station, the Aldersgate Underground car park and the new British Library). Concludes that the National Rivers Authority and the Thames Water Company must address groundwater rises under London in a “careful and controlled way”.