A face lift for Woolwich foot tunnel

Apex Lifts has successfully renovated the two lifts in the Woolwich foot tunnel as part of an £11.5m refurbishment programme to breathe life back into the Victorian structure.

The Woolwich foot tunnel has had a major refit as part of a five-year, £11.5 million programme by the Royal Borough of Greenwich, to see improvements made to both this foot tunnel and the one in Greenwich, for which Apex installed two new 90 person (6750kg) lifts in 2012.

The free river crossings in Greenwich and Woolwich, which opened in 1902 and 1912 respectively, are used for a combined 1.5 million journeys every year. Recent works have seen a reduction in leakage, improved drainage and the introduction of new technology - all of which make for a safer passage. Apex Lifts has formed a crucial piece in the jigsaw, renovating the 40-person, two-floor, grade II listed lifts, and restoring disabled access to the Woolwich foot tunnel.

“It is incredibly exciting to be involved in a project with such a rich heritage and culture. This is the first time since the tunnels were built - over 100 years ago - that this extent of work has been carried out on them, and Apex Lifts is proud to be a part of the process of regeneration,” says Warren Jenchner, Managing Director of Apex Lifts.

The Sidcup-based manufacturer is renowned for installing lifts in unusual and historic buildings, with a number of Grade-I listed structures, including the Lloyd’s Building and Windsor Castle, featuring in its portfolio.

“Sustaining the heritage of the Woolwich tunnel was of paramount importance,” explains Jenchner. “Whilst we’ve updated the technology, we’ve retained what we could of the original lifts. The 1912-original panels were removed, restored, polished, and reused. The newly renovated lifts are now in operation, looking great, and running smoothly.”