Media centre

Monday 15 Aug 2016

Didcot to Oxford line re-opened on schedule following improvement works

The line between Didcot and Oxford has re-opened on schedule this morning after being closed for 16 days while Network Rail carried out improvement works as part of its Railway Upgrade Plan to provide a bigger, better, more reliable railway for passengers.

Flooding of the railway line through the Hinksey area has resulted in 11 closures in the last 14 years, causing extensive disruption to passengers and businesses through the cancellation and diversion of passenger and freight services.

Over the past 16 days, Network Rail’s orange army has raised the track at Hinksey, renewed 200 metres of track and installed 44 culvert sections under the track to allow water to flow from one side to the other, reducing the impact of future flooding on this part of the rail network. Nine railway points, which enable trains to move from one track to another, have also been renewed to improve the reliability of journeys for passengers.

Additionally, two bridge decks have been removed, refurbished and reinstalled, and a new foot bridge has been installed.

Network Rail has worked closely with train operating companies GWR, CrossCountry and Chiltern Railways to minimise disruption for passengers with replacement bus services operating frequently throughout the closure.

Joanna Grew, Network Rail’s commercial scheme sponsor for the project, said:

“Our engineers have worked safely and diligently to complete this work to schedule with minimal disruption for passengers.

“I’d like to thank passengers for their patience while the improvements took place, and also to GWR CrossCountry and Chiltern Railways for their co-operation in providing replacement bus services to minimise disruption for passengers while these works have been carried out.

“Our Railway Upgrade Plan is delivering significant investment into the railway network which will provide a bigger, better, more reliable railway for passengers.” 

Mark Hopwood, managing director of GWR, said:

“Some of you have faced longer journeys or bus replacement services – I would like to say thank you for your patience as this vital flood alleviation work was completed.

“The Great Western network is already seeing the biggest investment since Brunel, and these improvement works will allow passengers to take advantage of the full benefits of electrification; providing newer trains, faster, more frequent services and importantly, given the growth this network has seen in recent years, more seats.”

A spokesman for CrossCountry said:

“We are grateful for the patience our customers have shown while this important work was completed, and apologise for any inconvenience they may have experienced.

“Hinksey has often suffered from flooding and it was only two years ago that the line was badly affected by this.

“Now this work is completed our customers can once again enjoy direct train services to the South Coast, Midlands and the North.”

ENDS