February 2009
Remembering Sir Alan Muir Wood, "father of modern tunnelling"
Former Halcrow senior partner, Sir Alan Muir Wood died on 1 February 2009, aged 87.
Sir Alan was one of the world’s greatest tunnel engineers, having dedicated his professional life to the delivery, research and advancement of geotechnics, tunnelling and coastal engineering. He was former president of the Institution of Civil Engineers and honorary life president of the International Tunnelling Association.
Sir Alan joined Halcrow (then Sir William Halcrow & Partners Ltd) in 1952. From 1958 he was involved in initial studies into the viability for the Channel Tunnel, culminating in formal investigations throughout 1964 and 1965.
He was also involved in some of the world’s leading tunnel projects, including South Africa’s 80km Orange Fish Tunnel, the Clyde Tunnel, Potters Bar railway tunnels, and the Heathrow Airport Cargo Tunnel. He also acted as advisor to the UK's House of Commons on the alignment of the Jubilee Line extension and was a review board member for mass rapid transit in developing countries.
In 1964 he was made a partner of the company, becoming senior partner in 1979 - a position he held until 1984, when he retired. This role was effectively chairman, although not called as such at the time.
Over the past 25 years, Sir Alan continued to work with Halcrow as consultant and was a regular visitor to the company’s offices. Throughout this time he provided specialist advice into problems encountered in underground works, landslides, offshore dredging and building structures. Recently he acted as expert witness for an Australian tunnelling project.
He was also a prolific writer and researcher and contributed to numerous papers, presentations and books.
Sir Alan had many friends in Halcrow and among clients and will be greatly missed. His dedication to his profession and to Halcrow is an exemplar to us all.