[Pictures by Varian Tye]
Some positive news to tell you at last regarding the portal of Brunel’s Box Tunnel, where part of the attractive stone balustrade is missing, dislodged its thought by the root of a bush.
Varian Tye – who has been campaigning for action to clean up and repair this historic facade – tells me Network Rail are proposing works next year.
I approached the rail company and was told: “Box Tunnel is a sensitive historic structure that requires carefully planned interventions to ensure that all remediation works are both effective and sympathetic to its fabric.
“Major design works are underway to address damage caused by vegetation. Detailed pre-construction investigations are scheduled to start in Autumn 2026 following installation of a suitable access scaffold.
“In the meantime, we are carrying out inspections every month using advanced 3D laser-scanning technology to monitor for structural movement, emerging defects, and any new signs of distress to the structure.
“In the years to follow, we will implement a tailored vegetation-management strategy for this structure and others of similar construction, ensuring long-term resilience and safe operation of the railway.”
Some action at last. Well done Varian.
Well done and thank you to Varian!