Update March 11th

First visit for two weeks due to bad weather last weekend. Weather was glorious today, so different from the snow of a few weeks ago. First thing I noticed was the installation of a couple of water bowsers and a portable pump. The ground level where they are situated has been built up considerably as the first two photos show. I am not sure if they are filling the bowsers from the numerous springs and streams that are present on the site or they are bringing water in.

Previously the ground level was about where the pump is situated

Looking back towards the scrapyard from the former Bedford line embankment.  There is a new circular are to the middle right that has been excavated and levelled since my last visit.

Circular area is middle left and the new access road runs up to the top right and continues right across to the main line.

New overhead gantries have been erected but not wired up.  This is to allow space for the viaduct to pass over the main line.  They are in pairs, each one covering two tracks.  The large gantries that cover all four tracks will be removed.  You can also see the end of the haul road.

Across the other side of the line, quite a bit of plant is in evidence, presumably constructing an extension of the haul road through the former gas works sidings.  This eventually will link up both work sites via the underbridge at the scrapyard.  All lorry movements must come via the A507 and Wilbury Hills Road.  Signs have already gone up around the area forbidding access for rail construction traffic

I continued along the Bedford line embankment past the spoil heaps.  There is just room to pass along the new fence.  This shot looks back towards the scrapyard.

 This looks across the rear of the heaps to the main line.

And finally looking the other way towards Ickleford.  The Icknield Way and Gerry's Hole are just through the trees in the background.

 A closer shot of the water bowsers.

The last shot looks towards what appears to be a new dry ski slope but is the spoil heap.  This has grown considerably as demonstrated by the large truck parked at the foot which appears quite small.  Despite all this activity, this is still preliminary work as there is no evidence of any actual railway line construction yet.