Early ground investigations along the proposed East West Rail route between Oxford and Cambridge have yielded fascinating discoveries from the dinosaur age, including fossilised sharks’ teeth.
The East West Railway Company (EWR Co) has commenced the initial phase of ground investigations as part of its commitment to designing and constructing the new railway in an environmentally sustainable, safe, and cost-effective manner. This crucial work involves gathering detailed information about the soil, rock, and groundwater conditions to mitigate risks, minimise the land required for the project, and prevent potential delays.
Soil samples extracted along the planned route have already revealed remarkable fossils, including the teeth of sharks and ammonites – marine creatures that thrived during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, becoming extinct around the same time as the dinosaurs.
The ground investigations are anticipated to take several weeks to complete. EWR Co has been working closely with landowners to ensure the investigations are conducted smoothly and efficiently, with each site being reinstated to its original condition once the work is finished.
EWR Co is committed to minimising disruption to local communities throughout this process. Contractors are adhering to stringent health and safety protocols, and while access to each site is only required for a short duration, impact reduction measures are being implemented. These include laying temporary trackways to prevent mud on roads, minimising bio-security risks, and scheduling work during daytime hours to further reduce any inconvenience.
Three distinct techniques will be employed to collect soil samples and assess ground conditions: cable percussion boreholes, rotary boreholes, and trial pits. Boreholes will be drilled to a maximum depth of 40 metres, although the majority will range between 10 and 20 metres below ground level.
To provide greater insight into the ground investigation process, EWR Co has produced a video aimed at enhancing public understanding of the work being undertaken and its significance in the development of the East West Rail project.
Neil Esslemont, Engineering Specialist – Geotechnical at EWR Co, explained: “We need to understand the ground conditions to allow us to construct the railway safely and in an efficient manner. By understanding the ground conditions thoroughly, we can design the railway to be cheaper to build, so we spend less taxpayers’ money on construction. And partly it’s a risk management exercise. If we understand what’s here, then we’re reducing the risk that we need to deal with during the construction phase.”
David Bray, Programme Director at EWR Co, added: “These ground investigations are a vital early step in designing a railway that is not only safe and reliable, but also respectful of the local environment and communities it will serve. By understanding the ground conditions in detail, we can make better-informed decisions about where and how we build – helping us to reduce environmental impact, manage costs and deliver a railway that works for everyone.”
For further details about the ground investigations, please visit: https://eastwestrail.co.uk/gi2025
