A SCHOOL for moles’ is being set up by Crossrail to train engineers in the art of tunnelling under London. Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has announced �5 million from the Learning & Skills Council for a new tunnelling construction academy’

By Mike Brooke

A SCHOOL for moles’ is being set up by Crossrail to train engineers in the art of tunnelling under London.

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has announced �5 million from the Learning & Skills Council for a new tunnelling and underground construction academy’.

That’s delighted Crossrail bosses who’ve been struggling with a shortage of good workers to keep the �16 billion super tube’ project on track.

Its chairman Terry Morgan said: “This �5m is great news for the tunnelling and underground construction industry. It means we can now build a training facility which the industry so urgently needs.”

The academy’ is to be built in East London at the Aldersbrook Sidings in Manor Park, near Ilford.

It is expected to be fully up and running by the end of the year.

Construction is already under way on six Crossrail stations across London. The twin tunnelling linking up the stations begins next year, hopefully with a fresh supply of qualified tunnelling experts to hand.