East West Rail link between Bedford, Milton Keynes, Aylesbury and Oxford a step closer as three of UK's largest cranes heave out concrete flyover

Three of the largest cranes in the UK are working in tandem to lift out sections of ‘Bletchley flyover,’ which was built in the early 1960s to allow trains travelling from West to East to cross over the West Coast main line.

Since April work has been under way to remove concrete spans so the structure can be rebuilt to modern standards as part of the East West Rail project*.

Now the sections above Buckingham Road, the main route in and out of Bletchley, are being lifted out. One crane will be installed on Buckingham Road itself requiring its closure to traffic from 5 July to August 30.

Tim Shoveller, managing director for Network Rail’s North West and Central region, said: “The work to remove Bletchley flyover as part of the East West Rail project is a hugely impressive feat of engineering. I thank local people and road-users for their patience as the project moves into this next phase over Buckingham Road.

“East West Rail will transform connectivity and journey times across the heart of the country. The resulting low-carbon transport system will bring huge benefits to passengers and businesses - driving economic growth and creating opportunities for housing and new jobs.”

Pedestrian access will be maintained by a protected walkway so people can still cross Buckingham Road throughout the work.

At certain times this won’t be available but when the walkway is closed a shuttle bus, running every 15 minutes, will take people between the train station and bus station.

Jeff Booth, project leader for East West Rail Alliance, said: “This work is a vital part of the East West Rail project to re-establish train services between Oxford and Milton Keynes and the road needs to be closed so that we can carry out the work safely. We appreciate that closing the road can be disruptive to motorists and we’d like to apologise for any inconvenience this causes. We thank motorists in advance for their patience.”

From 1 September -7 December Buckingham Road will then be partially closed to divert gas, electricity, telecoms, and drainage.

Traffic lights will be used to manage traffic and diversions will be in place.

When the road needs to be closed entirely a full diversionary route will be signposted for motorists.

Once complete, phase 2 of East West Rail would connect communities and businesses between Oxford and Bedford, and Milton Keynes and Aylesbury, with:

Two trains per hour each way between Oxford and Milton Keynes

One train per hour each way between Oxford and Bedford

One train per hour each way between Milton Keynes and Aylesbury