Headland Archaeology (UK) Ltd undertook archaeological monitoring during the excavation of a series of geotechnical test pits on land proposed for development by the East-West Rail Alli-ance. The geotechnical survey was undertaken near areas of disused railway track, on the poten-tial route of proposed rail upgrades between Bicester- Bedford and Milton Keynes. No archaeo-logical finds, features or deposits were identified during the work. Recorded strata in TPB11-21 related to construction and levelling deposits for the raising of the railway track embankment, with one pit revealing a thin additional layer of waste slag and coal. TP33 demonstrated post-medieval - modern made ground with organic material, possibly representing a backfilled pond.