Network Rail explains its progress on Botley Road closure works

Last month Network Rail announced Botley Road will not reopen as planned at the end of October as it is not possible to complete the necessary work on schedule. But contractors Kier said there have been some "key achievements", including the installation of a new water main under the rail bridge, work on a new platform five including track and foundations, and a new sewer installed under Becket Street car park.

The major route into the city has been closed at the rail bridge since April 2023 as part of the redevelopment of Oxford station.

Work includes the replacement of the rail bridge. Network Rail bosses say they cannot reveal when the scheme will be completed, as a review of the whole project is now taking place amid frustrations being expressed by locals and traders. The county council, the highways authority, is keen to trial six new traffic filters in the city centre to reduce congestion but has pledged to put the filters - camera-enforced bus gates - on hold until Botley Road reopens at the rail bridge.[2][3]

Initially Botley Road was supposed to reopen temporarily from October 2023 to March 2024 but delays forced Network Rail to re-think and announce the closure would continue until October 2024. (Image: Andy Ffrench) Last month the rail authority announced there will be further delays - although it has not said yet when the road will reopen, due to the complexity of diverting a large number of underground utility cables. A Network Rail spokesperson said: "We continue to work with the Department for Transport and local authority partners as we undertake a full review of the programme and will provide an update on timescales for the next steps of the project as soon as we're able.

"The review will look at what has been achieved so far, what remains to be done, plus the timescales and budget required. "It will also consider options for rescheduling the replacement of Botley Road railway bridge.

"No decision has yet been made.

"This is an incredibly complex project, involving multiple organisations, so although we know everyone wants clarity, we are taking the time to get it right so that we can deliver these major improvements to rail services. A picture from Kier showing the platform works taking place. (Image: Kier)"Work on site is continuing, with the 100m pipe for the new water main under the bridge being installed recently, plus preparation work for the new platform on the western side." The main reason for expanding the station is to facilitate East West Rail services that will eventually run between Oxford and Cambridge via Milton Keynes and Bedford.

Plans for reopening the Cowley branch line are being developed by the city council. The discovery of a brick arch last year, thought to be part of the original Victorian drainage system in Botley Road, added to the overspend on the scheme. The new Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, will have to make the decision on how the scheme moves forward, once the review is completed.

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About the author

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. [6] He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire. His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning.

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References

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