Network Rail’s Nuneham Viaduct repairs progress to piling stage

Network Rail said the structure, which sat on the south bank of the River Thames since 1856, had been demolished by the team in charge of repairing the Nuneham Viaduct near Abingdon.

Trains have been unable to travel between Oxford and Didcot since 3 April after “significant movements” were detected in the viaduct due to structural problems with its southern abutment.

Eight permanent piles have been drive to support the new abutment

The “complex” project to repair the infrastructure by replacing the abutment is scheduled to complete in time for the line to reopen on 10 June.

A team led by Balfour Beatty jacked up the viaduct and began removing the southern embankment last week.

The abutment was built as part of the original viaduct in the mid-19th century. The current crossing opened in 1907 and a new arched brick northern abutment was constructed in 1929.

According to Network Rail, heavy engineering has been required for the repair job.

In total 24 steel piles, each 15m long, were driven into the bed of the River Thames to create a solid platform for the temporary structure currently holding the weight of the viaduct. A 750t crane was used to lift that temporary structure into place.

About 3,000m³ of material has been removed from the embankment to create space to build a new abutment, with eight piles driven up to 20m into the embankment to support the new structure.

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.”

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