Nuneham Viasuct piles waiting to be fitted

Network Rail continue emergency work to repair Nuneham viaduct in Oxfordshire

Emergency work on Nuneham Viaduct in Oxfordshire is progressing with Network Rail expecting work to be completed by June 10.

The bridge, located in Abingdon has been closed since early April so urgent works could be completed by Network Rail. Significant movements were located in the viaduct, with the south bank abutment, which was originally built in 1856 showing serious structural issues. The line between Didcot and Oxford was then shut to accommodate the works.

The abutment has now been completely removed with work now underway to install foundations for a completely new structure that will reinforce the viaduct.

The project has included some complex and challenging engineering, including:

  • 24 x 15m long steel piles have been driven into the bed of the River Thames to create a solid platform for the temporary structure that is currently holding the weight of the viaduct.
  • A 750-tonne crane was used to lift the temporary structure into place.
  • 3,000m3 of material has been removed from the embankment to create space to build a new abutment.

Operators including Great Western Railway, Chiltern Railways and CrossCountry have worked closely with Network Rail in order to keep trains moving whilst the section of line is being repaired.

Network Rail capital delivery director Stuart Calvert said: “The progress we have made on what is an extremely challenging project is testament to the diligence and talent of our teams.

“There is more hard work to come but we continue to operate round the clock to reopen the viaduct by 10 June.

“We apologise for the continued disruption for railway users but we are doing everything we can to get the railway running again as quickly as possible.”

“There is more hard work to come but we continue to operate round the clock to reopen the viaduct by 10th June.

“We apologise for the continued disruption for railway users but we are doing everything we can to get the railway running again as quickly as possible.”

Emergency work on Nuneham Viaduct in Oxfordshire is progressing with Network Rail expecting work to be completed by June 10.

The bridge, located in Abingdon has been closed since early April so urgent works could be completed by Network Rail. Significant movements were located in the viaduct, with the south bank abutment, which was originally built in 1856 showing serious structural issues. The line between Didcot and Oxford was then shut to accommodate the works.

The abutment has now been completely removed with work now underway to install foundations for a completely new structure that will reinforce the viaduct.

The project has included some complex and challenging engineering, including:

  • 24 x 15m long steel piles have been driven into the bed of the River Thames to create a solid platform for the temporary structure that is currently holding the weight of the viaduct.
  • A 750-tonne crane was used to lift the temporary structure into place.
  • 3,000m3 of material has been removed from the embankment to create space to build a new abutment.

Operators including Great Western Railway, Chiltern Railways and CrossCountry have worked closely with Network Rail in order to keep trains moving whilst the section of line is being repaired.

Network Rail capital delivery director Stuart Calvert said: “The progress we have made on what is an extremely challenging project is testament to the diligence and talent of our teams.

“There is more hard work to come but we continue to operate round the clock to reopen the viaduct by 10 June.

“We apologise for the continued disruption for railway users but we are doing everything we can to get the railway running again as quickly as possible.”

“There is more hard work to come but we continue to operate round the clock to reopen the viaduct by 10th June.

“We apologise for the continued disruption for railway users but we are doing everything we can to get the railway running again as quickly as possible.”

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