We're completing major refurbishment to the Oxted Viaduct
What’s being done?
The Oxted Viaduct was constructed in 1881 and carries two railway lines over the A25 road and the River Eden on the line running from South Croydon to Uckfield. Like any structure of that age, it needs maintenance and servicing to ensure passengers and freight can continue to move safely over it long into the future.
Network Rail is working from summer 2020 to April 2021 to refurbish the 140-year-old landmark.
The scope of work includes:
- Steel work will grit-blasted back to bare metal, treated and repainted
- Brickwork repairs to piers, arches and bearing area
- Repairs to the roller bearings that support the weight of the structure. These also allow the steel to move as it expands and contracts in the summer heat and the cold of the winter, without affecting the railway tracks laid on it
- Replace existing timber walkway with new decking
Oxted Viaduct is wrapped in plastic
The benefits
Overhauling the viaduct is essential to the safe and efficient full speed running of the railway line. The work will ensure that we maintain a good level of service with more reliable journeys, for passengers who use this route.
Key dates
Work to take place during closures of the railway during 2020/2021. This is subject to change, but we will do everything we can to keep to our planned schedule and minimise any disruption caused.
| Start Time | Date | End Time | Date | Work to be carried out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01:00 | 29 August 2020 | 04:00 | 1 September 2020 | Lifting of bridge spans 2 & 3, steel strengthening work, waterproofing and monitoring at track level. |
| 01:00 | 27 September 2020 | 08:10 | 27 September 2020 | Lifting of bridge spans 2 & 3 and reseating of new free roller bearings, monitoring at track level. |
| 01:00 | 6 March 2021 | 04:00 | 8 March 2021 | Lifting and Lowering of bridge span 1, replacing bearings, track monitoring, high pressure washing, removal of deck timber and installation of GRP walkways at track level. |
| 01:00 | 13 March 2021 | 04:00 | 15 March 2021 | Lifting and Lowering of bridge span 1, replacing bearings, track monitoring, high pressure washing, removal of deck timber and installation of GRP walkways at track level. |
| 01:00 | 20 March 2021 | 04:00 | 22 March 2021 | Track monitoring, pressure washing, removal of deck timber and installation of GRP walkways at track level. |
Detail of work taking place on the Oxted viaduct
Passenger disruption
Further work on the viaduct is planned for February and March 2021 and will mean some disruption for passengers, but we will aim to keep any noise to an absolute minimum, though some disturbance may be unavoidable due to the nature of the work. Our refurbishment work is due to be completed in August 2021.
Information about future road closures, for example when we remove the temporary structures (scaffolding) will be made available nearer the time, although no road closures are scheduled this year up until the 31 December 2020.
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Contact us
If you have any concerns about the work or have a specific question, please contact our community relations team on our 24-Hour Helpline: 03457 11 41 41 (quoting Oxted Viaduct renewal)