Picture perfect painting and repairs at Oxted Viaduct to refurbish the 140-year-old landmark

Network Rail have issued the following press release about the repair and redecoration of Oxted Viaduct:

A vital project to protect the future of the railway from Oxted in Surrey to Uckfield and East Grinstead in Sussex continues with important bridge repairs and a new lick of paint.

Since summer 2020 we've been working on a major refurbishment of the 140-year-old Oxted Viaduct, which carries two railway lines over the A25 road and the River Eden. The work will keep passengers moving safely over the structure long into the future.

Over the next few months, engineers will be blast cleaning and repainting Oxted Viaduct and carrying out extensive repairs to the steelwork. Colleagues from BAM Nuttall will also repair brickwork and replacing the movable bearings that support the weight of the bridge spans.

These allow the steel to move as it expands and contracts lengthways in the heat of the summer and the cold of the winter, without affecting the railway tracks laid on it.

Travel advice

Passengers travelling on Saturday 13 – Sunday 14, and Saturday 20 – Sunday 21 March are advised to plan ahead and allow more time for their journeys. No trains will run between South Croydon and East Grinstead / Uckfield, and customers will need to use alternative services between London and Purley.

Replacement buses will run between:

• Purley and Hurst Green
• Woldingham and Warlingham
• Oxted and East Grinstead / Crowborough
• Crowborough and Uckfield

Customers should use local buses to and from Sanderstead or use nearby Purley Oaks station. Customers should also use local buses to and from Riddlesdown, or Purley station, which is a 20-minute walk away.

In line with Government guidance, passengers are also urged to minimise travel. Those who do need to travel by rail are urged to plan ahead and check whether their route is affected by the upgrade works taking place.

Shaun King, Sussex route director for Network Rail, said:

“Our viaduct in Oxted is more than 100 years old and like any structure of that age, needs maintenance and servicing to keep it safe. Overhauling the viaduct is essential to ensuring we maintain a good level of service for passengers who use this route.”

Chris Fowler, Customer Services Director for Southern, said:

“On behalf of our customers, we welcome Network Rail’s major investment in the future of the line, while maintaining this prominent local landmark. If you do need to travel over the next two weekends when work is under way, we thank you for your patience. Please check alternative travel details on our website, southernrailway.com, before you set off, and allow extra time for your journey. Please also remember ‘hands-face-space’ – wash your hands, wear a face covering and keep your distance.”