Finally made the time to visit the site this afternoon. In the two or so weeks since I was last there the progress has been quite dramatic. Quite a number of viaduct supports on the west side had either been started or poured leaving only two or three left to finish that part of the project. It was the same on the east side. I wasn't able to fully check on what progress had been made on that side because there were a number of people using the car park in Hillgate as an impromptu race track. I didn't want to hang around while that was going on! However I could see that more chalk had been transferred from the quarry on Wilbury Hill and the wing walls had been added to the farmer's accommodation bridge. I noticed earlier in the week that work on the former Bedford branch along side the main line had started. This is to raise the level to that of the main line and gradually increase it as it passes over the River Hiz bridge to bring it up to the level of the viaduct.
No further sections of viaduct had been installed but side deckings hve been added all the way along.
The last viaduct support on the triangle of land formed where the main line and Bedford branch parted. The much taller supports can be seen stretching away on the lower ground. I counted seven either poured or being prepared where there was only one last time. Then there is a gap before the first three which are under construction.
Same supports from a slightly different angle looking south towards the scrapyard.
Moving south a shot back the other way.
Then I attempted to move closer to the scrapyard but the Bury Mead Springs area was more overgrown than ever. I couldn't reach my usual vantage point by the two dead trees. You can make out the two viaduct supports number two and three next to the scrapyard. Better picture from the other side later in the blog. I will have to take equipment to cut down the nettles etc if I want to get any closer.
Viaduct support pier number one under construction next to the removed Bedford line bridge.
Turning 180 degrees, numbers two and three. These are nothing like as tall as the ones further on as they begin to rise significantly to pass over the main line. Interestingly number two has a raised concrete pad at the base unlike any others. You can just make out what looks like a bitumen coating to the right. I suspect this is because the existing embankment will be reprofiled to a shallower angle. The Bedford embankment was completely removed here to enable the construction of this pier.
Behind pier one access onto the former Bedford embankment has been created and new security fencing installed along the edge of the main line.
I think this will be the final viaduct support on the east side before the embankment starts.
Finally a shot of the ever growing quarry on Wilbury Hill.
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