A Crossrail tunneller known as “a bit of legend” in the industry is set to retire after five decades working underground.
Croydon-born Peter Bermingham, 70, began his career 50 years ago in 1964 when he worked on the construction of the Victoria line from Green Park to Oxford Circus.
Since then he has worked on more than 20 projects in and around London including the Jubilee Line Extension, the Olympic Park and the King’s Cross redevelopment.
Bermingham worked for almost five years on the Channel Tunnel, during which time he was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to tunnelling. He has also worked in Hong Kong, Australia, Fiji, Singapore and Copenhagen.
He is about to complete a record 10th tunnel underneath the River Thames – the mile and a half long tunnel linking Plumstead with North Woolwich in south east London – as part of Crossrail.
Bermingham said: “When I started out tunnelling in 1964, I never thought that I’d still be doing it 50 years later. It’s the camaraderie and the spirit among the lads that’s kept me in the industry for so long and I’ll miss it when I retire. Going under the Thames for the 10th time as part of Crossrail felt pretty special, in particular on a project that is going to have such a big impact on London.
“I’ve seen enormous changes. Back when I started out, we dug tunnels by hand using pneumatic spades and shovels, normally with a cloth cap or a handkerchief on our heads. Now we’re using ten million pound machines to build the tunnels beneath the streets of the city.”
Bermingham’s two sons, Dan and Robert, are also employed on the project. Dan Bermingham said: “My dad’s a bit of a legend in the tunnelling industry. After half a century working underground, he’s certainly earned a good break. We’ll all miss having him around at work.”
Andrew Wolstenholme, Crossrail’s chief executive, said: “Peter should be rightly proud of the 50 years service that he has given to the tunnelling industry and to London. The wealth of experience that he has brought to Crossrail has been unparalleled and we all wish him the very best for his retirement.”
And Mayor of London Boris Johnson also commented on Bermingham’s career, saying: “This record-breaking Londoner has earned his richly deserved rest and I take my hat off to him for his role in the modernisation and transformation of our fine city.”
