East West Rail ground exploration uncovers Jurassic fossils
They include marine fossils such as sharks’ teeth and ammonites
Early investigations along the proposed East West Rail route between Oxford and Cambridge through Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire have uncovered fossils dating back to the age of dinosaurs, including sharks’ teeth and ammonites.
East West Railway Company (EWR Co) has begun the first phase of ground investigations along the proposed rail corridor.
The work is intended to inform the design and construction of the new railway, ensuring it is environmentally sustainable, safe, and cost-effective.
As part of the investigations, engineers are collecting detailed data on soil, rock, and groundwater conditions.
According to EWR Co, this information will help reduce construction risks, minimise land requirements, and prevent potential delays during the delivery of the project.
Among the early findings from soil samples taken along the route are marine fossils such as sharks’ teeth and ammonites, dating from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. These were discovered in Chapel Hill, South Cambridgeshire, an area where glacial deposits known as Elsterian till overlay the West Melbury Formation Chalk bedrock.
Neil Esslemont, Engineering Specialist – Geotechnical at EWR Co, explained the importance of the investigations, and said: "We need to understand the ground conditions to allow us to construct the railway safely and in an efficient manner.
"By understanding the ground conditions thoroughly, we can design the railway to be cheaper to build, so we spend less taxpayers’ money on construction. And partly it's a risk management exercise.
"If we understand what's here, then we're reducing the risk that we need to deal with during the construction phase."
The investigations are being carried out using three main techniques: cable percussion boreholes, rotary boreholes, and trial pits.
Most boreholes will be drilled to depths of 10 to 20 metres, with a maximum depth of 40 metres in some locations. These methods allow engineers to assess the ground's physical properties before finalising construction plans.
David Bray, Programme Director at EWR Co, said: "These ground investigations are a vital early step in designing a railway that is not only safe and reliable, but also respectful of the local environment and communities it will serve.
"By understanding the ground conditions in detail, we can make better-informed decisions about where and how we build – helping us to reduce environmental impact, manage costs and deliver a railway that works for everyone."
EWR Co stated that it is working closely with landowners and local communities to minimise disruption.