The article discusses the design background and construction of the railway foundations, which was handled by W. S. Atkins & Partners, and contractors, Piling Construction Ltd. (PCL). Both 600 and 715 mm dia. piles were driven through successive strata of made ground, alluvium, soft clays and medium-dense to dense gravel, then socketed into the Woolwich and Reading beds. Problems were encountered in maintaining the required concrete cover, caused by unequal loadings on the plastic wheel spacers.