29.05.20
Chiltern main line sees multi-million-pound investment to prevent landslips
Passengers who use the Chiltern main line will be able to make more reliable journeys following major work to secure a railway embankment in Warwickshire.
Since December last year, a £9m investment by Network Rail has seen engineers working to stabilise the slope on the south side of Harbury tunnel between Leamington Spa and Banbury.
The area has forever fell victim to landslips, most recently in early 2015 when a 300,000-tone landslip occurred on the other side of the tunnel, closing the Chiltern main line for six weeks.
The strengthening of the embankment began in December 2019 and is expected to finish in 2021.
Scheme Project Manager at Network Rail, Joel Farrell, said: “This significant investment to secure this part of the Chiltern main line will ensure reliable journeys for passengers between Birmingham and London for many decades to come.
“The ground here, made up of layers of limestone and shale, can be unstable and could potentially cause issues for the railway running through it. This preventative work will stop any future slips and make it much more secure.
“We know Harbury very well after the huge landslip in 2015 and I want to thank the local community for their patience while we complete this vital work.”
Images: Network Rail