No trains to and from Oxford station during 9-day railway upgrade
The start of a nine-day period of intensive track and signalling work around Oxford station begins on July 29. The upgrade is part of Oxfordshire Connect – the programme of work that is transforming the station and the surrounding area.
From July 29 until August 6, Network Rail will be installing new high speed crossovers to the north of Oxford station, between Walton Well Road bridge and Aristole Lane footbridge, as well as upgrading lineside signalling equipment, modifying Osney Lane footbridge and making adjustments to platforms in the station.
During the nine-day closure, no trains will run to or from Oxford station. Replacement buses will be in operation between Oxford and other stations.
High speed crossovers being installed this summer will make it quicker and easier for trains to get in and out of the station, as well as making way for an additional line and platform that will be installed in 2024, ready to support additional train services through East West Rail.
Replacement buses will be in operation between Oxford and others:
- Banbury
- Didcot Parkway
- Hanborough
- Leamington Spa (Saturday 29 July – 13:15 Friday 4 August only)
- Oxford Parkway
Replacement buses will leave at different times to the usual train timetable with longer journey times. Passengers are advised to check with www.nationalrail.co.uk[1] before travelling.
Clare Mahoney, Network Rail’s industry programme director said: “This nine-day period of 24-hour working is a really important milestone in the Oxfordshire Connect Programme and we thank passengers, local residents and businesses for their patience while this work is completed. It is a vital enabler for the upgrades that will follow and crucial preparation for the introduction of East West Rail.”
Billy White, Great Western Railway’s station manager for Oxford, said: “We thank customers in advance for their patience as Network Rail continues work which is crucial to the wider redevelopment of Oxford station.
“The Oxfordshire Connect programme will help to transform the travel experience for the millions of customers who use this station every year. We strongly advise passengers to check their journey carefully if they’re travelling during this period, as replacement buses will be operating on all routes through Oxford and journeys will take longer than normal.”
Huw Margetts, CrossCountry’s regional director for West & Wales, said: “I want to thank passengers in advance for their patience while these important improvements are made to the rail network at Oxford. Replacement buses will mean journeys will take longer than usual during the nine-day closure, so I’d ask passengers to check before they travel and leave more time for their journey.”
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References
- ^ www.nationalrail.co.uk (www.nationalrail.co.uk)
- ^ press here to sign up (www.oxfordshirelive.co.uk)