Project Overview
The Thames Tideway Tunnel, London’s £4.5 billion “super sewer”, is one of the UK’s largest and most ambitious infrastructure projects. Spanning 25 kilometres beneath the River Thames, its purpose is to intercept combined sewer overflows and dramatically reduce pollution entering the river.
Delivering this mega-project required the coordination of multiple contractors and technical partners. Amey was appointed as systems integrator to design, build and commission the operational control systems. Ensuring the successful delivery of such a complex, multi-stakeholder programme demanded rigorous planning, scheduling and performance reporting. This is where Xacom played a vital role – first providing independent programme assurance, and later embedding themselves as a trusted partner to Amey’s systems integration team.
“Xacom helped us to gain control of our programme, in particular our programme plan. This is exemplified by their professionalism and willingness to go over and above what is expected of them.” – Thomas Kinnear, Highways & Utilities Director, Advisory & Analytic
Services Delivered
2018 – Schedule Assessment and NEC3 Compliance
Xacom was first engaged in 2018 to undertake a comprehensive programme schedule review. At the time, the programme was facing challenges in achieving acceptance under the NEC3 contract framework.
Xacom conducted a detailed assessment to ensure the schedule was contractually compliant, logically robust and aligned with key delivery milestones. Their recommendations enabled Amey to resolve schedule issues and secure programme acceptance – a critical step in maintaining contractual compliance and progressing the works.
2022 Onwards – Embedded Programme Controls Support
From 2022, Xacom provided ongoing programme controls, reporting and schedule management support to Amey’s Systems Integration team. Their embedded role included:
- Programme Planning & Control – Strengthening Amey’s master programme by embedding best-practice scheduling techniques and ensuring accurate representation of interfaces across 21 sites.
- Reporting & Analytics – Producing clear, data-driven reporting packs that gave Amey’s leadership and Tideway management full visibility of progress, risks and critical paths.
- Risk & Mitigation Support – Working with Amey’s delivery teams to identify potential schedule risks and provide scenario modelling to inform decision-making.
- Collaboration & Integration – Supporting coordination across multiple contractors and stakeholders, aligning programme reporting with Tideway’s wider governance framework.
Challenges
- Achieving NEC3 programme acceptance within contractual timeframes.
- Managing interfaces and dependencies across 21 geographically dispersed sites.
- Maintaining clear, consistent progress and risk reporting for Tideway and Amey’s leadership.
- Ensuring schedule integrity and transparency across multiple stakeholders and disciplines.
Outcome
Xacom’s involvement strengthened Amey’s ability to manage one of the UK’s most complex systems integration programmes. By combining independent schedule assurance with embedded programme support, Xacom helped ensure the project remained on track, compliant and well-governed.
The collaboration delivered:
- Successful NEC3 programme acceptance, avoiding contractual delays or disputes.
- Improved visibility and confidence in programme performance for Amey and Tideway.
- Enhanced decision-making capability through robust analytics and transparent reporting.
- Trusted external expertise that complemented Amey’s internal delivery teams and processes.
Xacom’s contribution to the Thames Tideway Tunnel demonstrates the value of expert programme controls in delivering complex infrastructure programmes. From initial NEC3 schedule compliance in 2018 to embedded planning and reporting support from 2022 onwards, Xacom played a key role in helping Amey deliver its systems integration responsibilities – ultimately contributing to the successful completion of the Thames Tideway Tunnel, operational from 2025.
About Xacom
Xacom Project Controls is an APMG-accredited training and consultancy organisation specialising in Earned Value Management, Risk Management and Planning & Scheduling. We work with organisations to deliver practical, high-quality interventions that improve capability, strengthen governance and drive measurable results.