There is a lot going on inside the big white tent this month, as the metalwork is blasted clean. All this has been done in a controlled environment and, once it is completed, all the waste material must be removed and disposed of in a safe way – not least because the site sits alongside the Sheepwash Channel, which flows into the Thames.

It felt more like the set of a sci-fi film than a heritage site when we visited this week with Historic England and Network Rail. Dressed head to toe in protective clothing, this was the first time they had seen the work happening. The photographs give some idea of the sheer scale of the bridge, but also of the success of the cleaning – what wonderful engineers the Victorians were!

Offsite has been busy too, fabricating parts and sourcing the right reclaimed materials, like these rails – now stored at a Network Rail materials recycling plant with OPT’s name clearly stenciled to make sure everyone knows they are taken.

Thanks go to the Railway Heritage Trust and our other sponsors for helping to save this rare piece of Oxford’s industrial past. You too can be a part of the story by donating or joining us. We would love for you to get involved!

Thanks also go to The Morton Partnership, Avon Construction and Oxford Archaeology for their fantastic work.

We look forward to updating you again soon!