Reopening of Nuneham Viaduct ‘vital’ for Didcot economically
The railway was closed on April 3 after significant movements in the 160-year-old Nuneham Viaduct were detected, despite recent ground stabilisation work.
Councillor for Didcot South and former town mayor, Mocky Khan, welcomed the news of the reopening saying it is very important for the town.
Services had been expected to begin again on Saturday, June 11 but the first passenger trains started running early over the line last Friday, June 9.
Mr Khan said: "I am pleased that after the disruption that was caused at the link between Didcot and Oxford[1], it has now reopened.
"Not just because of people's commute but also for shopping and tourists. We need to have the link between Oxford and Dicot in place, it's vital for the relationship and the economy to allow people to visit socially and in terms of retail.
While admitting the replacement bus service was good, Mr Khan hopes the reopening of the line will also help ease congestion in the area.
He said: "So I am very pleased, people have been using the rail bus service, which has been good but it is much better to use railways to relieve congestion from the road.
"It was very important to reopen that line as soon as possible because it has been a while.
"Safety is paramount but I am pleased that they have done it ahead of schedule."
More than 100 daily passenger services have been cancelled since the route was closed affecting both Great Western Railway and CrossCountry.
The issue also forced around 40 freight trains each day to be diverted.
Around 800 people have worked on the repairs, which have included demolishing and rebuilding part of the 150-tonne bridge and creating stronger foundations.
Engineers will remain on site for up to 12 weeks to finish the work.
Network Rail capital delivery director Stuart Calvert said: “We never want to shut a railway and disrupt passengers or divert freight trains or cancel them.
“Service is absolutely the prime objection in running a railway. We are genuinely sorry for the passengers we have disrupted.
“We did everything we could to not shut the railway but when we did we had people working 24/7 to get the railway open in the shortest time possible.
“A complex and challenging repair like this would normally take two to three years to complete, but thanks to the hard work and dedication of our talented teams of engineers, and industry experts, this major project has been turned around in just under 10 weeks."
Claudia Philps, programme manager for Network Rail, said: “It’s fantastic to see trains running again, it’s been a mammoth effort by everyone.
“A lot of time has gone into delivering this, so it’s huge relief to see trains running again but we do appreciate everyone’s patience whilst we have been doing it."
Rail minister Huw Merriman, said: “It’s welcome news that services will return for rail passengers and commuters in Oxfordshire, after what has been a disruptive couple of months.
“I would like to thank travellers and freight operators for their patience as well as Network Rail for carrying out this essential work so efficiently