Working in close partnership with Network Rail UK, Vector Structures took on the responsibility of designing the structural system for a new platform walkway and ramp, facilitating convenient access from the underground railway tunnel to the Didcot Museum. The existing structure posed a considerable bottleneck for accessibility, presenting significant challenges for disabled individuals and impeding the smooth movement of cargo. This project demanded close collaboration with Network Rail to ensure adherence to their protocols and the acquisition of all necessary approvals. Our specialist railway engineers, working hand-in-hand with our structural engineers, ensured that Network Rail’s requirements were met, leading to the approval of the scheme within the required timeframe. Among the noteworthy challenges faced was the poor soil quality at the site.

Our innovative solution involved the utilization of a reinforced concrete platform supported by piles. These piles were driven deep into the ground until they reached soil with the appropriate bearing capacity, thereby guaranteeing the stability and enduring strength of the structure. Another challenge we confronted was the restriction that materials could only be delivered to the site via cargo trains every two weeks. Consequently, our scheme had to be meticulously designed with a focus on minimizing the required materials. Our team of engineers, renowned for their expertise in carbon-efficient designs, dedicated themselves to optimizing the concrete thickness, ensuring that the project maximized the use of resources to their fullest potential in order to achieve this.