Name: Robert Oag
Employer: Balfour Beatty Major Civil Engineering Ltd
Project: Kings Cross Northern Ticket Hall Phase 2, London
Contract: ECC 1995
One of the first major infrastructure projects for London 2012 is now in use, thanks in large measure to Robert Oag.
Robert completed the construction of a huge new ticket hall and 300m of pedestrian tunnels at one of the capital’s busiest Tube stations ahead of schedule. His leadership was instrumental in overcoming the technical challenges.
The goal was to find a way of threading the tunnels to three existing Tube platforms to provide new entrances for the deep-level stations of some of the busiest lines. Robert also had to sink a four-storey 2,000sqm underground ticket hall under and around the King’s Cross train shed and the listed Great Northern Hotel. Along the way he also took charge of installing 10 new escalators and six access lifts.
Robert helped develop innovative construction techniques for the deep excavations to avoid damaging the surrounding buildings and to maintain the operational railway. He built the ticket hall using top-down construction methods to minimise ground movement. He employed compensation grouting to maintain earth pressures for the tunnelling.
And the tunnels were excavated using a technique pioneered at Heathrow Terminal 5. A laser linked to a computer controlled the excavator and concrete lining machine to ensure that the tunnels were completely circular.
Robert remained on top of the risks, costing them in as they arose and acting to mitigate their likelihood and impact. When, for example, the timetable started slipping with a year to go, he introduced a six-week acceleration programme of additional night shifts to regain the schedule.
Value: £395m