Work is get underway shortly on a damaged culvert in Aylesbury before HS2 begin work near the line.
A culvert which has caused significant issues on the Chiltern Main Line will be fixed as Network Rail confirmed a part closure of the of the line.
Work is due to take place in a 10-day period in August on the bridge situated near Aylesbury, meaning the section between Aylesbury and Prince Risborough will be closed between Monday 7 and Friday 18 August.
A temporary fix was originally put in place on the line. Once the culvert has been fixed, HS2 will replace and fit new signalling equipment to allow HS2 to pass beneath the line. HS2 will then continue with foundations and pilings work in the area once the culvert fix has been made.
Aylesbury is a key part of the HS2 project in the Chilterns, with the huge Thame Valley viaduct passing through just to the west of the town, with the 880m-long structure currently at the beginnings of being slotted together.
Alongside the Thame Valley Viaduct, the Small Dean Viaduct and Wendover green tunnel are currently been built near the location of the current culvert works.
Patrick Cawley, director for ‘On Network Works’ for Network Rail and HS2, said: “Our major upgrades in Buckinghamshire will help to improve reliability for passengers who have been disrupted this year as well as preparing for HS2 which will transform journeys between London, the Midlands and the North, by making space on the existing railway network for more freight and local services.
“Before work begins in August, we are urging passengers to familiarise themselves with the alternative travel arrangements in place, and planning their journeys in advance by visiting the Chiltern Railways website.”
Jacqueline Dey, operations director for Chiltern Railways, said: "Local customers will know all too well that the damaged culvert has led to numerous short-notice cancellations this year, and we are pleased that a permanent fix will be implemented this summer.”
Once the first stage has been complete, a second closure of the line will happen in October to complete further track realignment work.
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