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Monday 18 Jan 2016

Rail reliability boost for Oxford passengers as Network Rail carries out flood alleviation scheme at Hinksey

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| Wales & Western: Western

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Network Rail’s orange army will be carrying out work this summer to greatly improve reliability for passengers by tackling the almost yearly problem of flooding on the railway line that runs through Hinksey near Oxford.

The project will involve raising the height of the track by about 40cm and installing two large pipes, or culverts, under the railway line to allow water to flow from one side to the other, reducing the impact of future flooding on this part of the rail network.

Flooding in this area has been a long-standing problem that has had a significant impact on the railway line and on the local community. In total, it has resulted in 11 closures over the last 14 years, causing extensive disruption to passengers and businesses through the cancellation and diversion of passenger and freight services.

Throughout the last year, Network Rail has been working with the Environment Agency to find a long-term solution to this problem as part of its Railway Upgrade Plan. This has involved carrying out detailed flood modelling and an in-depth environmental study to establish the cause of the flooding and the options available to reduce the chances of it happening again.

The two culverts being installed will not only reduce the impact of flooding on the railway, but they will also be of a size that fulfils the Environment Agency’s requirements for its wider Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme (OFAS). By incorporating these requirements now, it will minimise disruption for passengers, lineside neighbours and freight companies in the long-term by removing the potential need to make changes to the culverts, as part of the OFAS, in the future.

Joanna Grew, Network Rail’s commercial scheme sponsor for the project, said: “We care about passengers and our neighbours and so it was really important to us to work with the Environment Agency to find a solution that provides the best value for money for the taxpayer, will make an important contribution towards increasing reliability for passengers, and enables us to work together to limit disruption for our neighbours.

“Over the next six months we will continue to work closely with the Environment Agency and the council to keep residents and passengers updated on the project and to find any other ways to minimise disruption during the work.”

The project will also involve renewing nine railway points. Railway points enable trains to move from one track to another and their renewal will also help to improve reliability for passengers.

The joint-funded £18m project will take place from 30 July to 15 August.

ENDS