Then. Now. Tomorrow.
Then. Now. Tomorrow.
From Singapore’s first major electric power station to London’s underground rail network we have innovated to solve the problems that faced generations in the past and we continue to bring our pioneering approach to the challenges of the future.
In this space we will regularly share inspirational stories and archival material that demonstrates our excellence and innovation in supporting the creation of the fabric of our society. We will also look ahead to show how we continue to apply these skills to the challenges of tomorrow.
Shaping the fabric of society
A recently launched project to conserve and communicate Mott MacDonald’s heritage is bringing long-forgotten artefacts to light.
We have curated 7 documents and a trophy that highlight the contribution of founding partners Basil Mott, David Hay and David Anderson to the development of London Underground, the world’s first deep level, electric railway system.
Our underground.
Bringing the benefits of many decades’ experience, Mott, Hay & Anderson was appointed as consulting engineer to the London Passenger Transport Board on its creation in 1933.
This map of London Underground from that year shows the lines and 58 underground stations designed by the partners before and after the formation of Mott, Hay & Anderson in 1921.
Copyright of London Transport Museum library collection.
Start of the journey.
This is the original agreement between the City & South London Railway Company and Basil Mott in 1890, contracting him as owner’s engineer for the world’s first deep level electric tube line – The City and South London Railway.
Mott's annual salary was £350 (which using the Bank of England’s inflation calculator works out at around £37,500/year).
In demand.
This letter to Basil Mott from eminent engineer Benjamin Baker was written two days after James Greathead’s death in October 1896. Baker invites Mott to work with him as a partner on the Central London Railway.
1870s, James Greathead’s diary.
This diary was given to Basil Mott when Greathead died in 1896. Several projects and proposals are recorded, including one by civil engineer John Frederick Bateman for a cast iron tube on the seabed between England and France.
In 1964, the invention of pressurised face tunnelling by Mott, Hay & Anderson senior engineer (later chair) John Bartlett made it possible to carry out large scale subsea tunnelling. The Channel Tunnel was finally completed in 1994 with Mott MacDonald as lead designer for the UK civil and tunnelling works.
1890s, Waterloo and City line route map.
The Waterloo and City line was London’s second deep level underground line, engineered by James Greathead. This route alignment plan is probably his personal copy, given to Basil Mott following Greathead’s death. In the 1980s, tunnelling for the Docklands Light Railway connection into Bank station revealed remnants of Greathead’s tunnelling shield. When transiting between the Waterloo and City line and the DLR, watch for a red arch: it is part of that shield.
1899, Central London Railway progress log.
This site diary was written by Basil Mott in 1899 when work on City (Bank) station was being undertaken as part of the Central London Railway project (today’s Central Line). Archivists at Transport for London believe that it was in 1899 that Benjamin Baker and Basil Mott first started submitting engineering reports, which are now held by TfL. The correlation of this and those reports is an example of our shared heritage with TfL.
1900, commemoration of Central London Railway opening.
This silver dish was presented to Basil Mott by the engineering staff of the Central London Railway upon its completion in July 1900. Over the next three decades Mott, Hay & Anderson designed extensions to the line, pioneering new tunnel lining systems.
1907, installing electric lifts.
This photo album records the installation of Otis electric lifts at several deep-level including Waterloo and Bank. Mott, Hay & Anderson designed the shafts and associated works.
Innovation
Finding new and better ways to solve the challenges facing society has always been our mission. Undersea tunnels, city metros and essential underground utility corridors in complex ground conditions are possible today because of the ingenuity of our engineers.
From Basil Mott’s pioneering work in the late 1890s and early 1900s to the revolutionary invention of the bentonite shield by John Bartlett in 1964 our engineers have made projects safer and reduced cost.
Excellence
Underpinning all of our work is a commitment to excellence demonstrated in the world leading projects delivered by our predecessors and continued today.
The work of civil engineer James Williamson in hydropower for example, transformed the economy of Scotland in the 1940s and 1950s by increasing access to electricity. His unique dams were not only beautiful but cost effective needed less materials than traditional structures.
Ambition
Recognising our heritage demonstrates our commitment to building on experience to provide solutions to the challenges of the future. Our materials specialists are using their unique expertise to make structures last longer tackling corrosion with electro-chemistry.
Our innovative engineers design climate resilient infrastructure that delivers social equity through better connectivity and improved access to essential services.
Our energy specialists are decarbonising electricity systems to enable the global transition to net zero. In this way our past is helping us to shape a better future for everyone.