Rail minister apologises for lengthy Botley Road closure

The road has been closed at the rail bridge since April last year as part of a GBP161m scheme to revamp Oxford rail station. In July, Network Rail announced the road will not reopen as planned at the end of October, and a series of options for the scheme are now being investigated in a review - including postponing the work. READ MORE: Rail minister acutely aware of disruption[1]

Earlier this month Lord Hendy, of the Department for Transport, wrote to city council leader Susan Brown to say he was "acutely aware" of the disruption the closure is causing. His letter has also been sent to county council leader Liz Leffman it was revealed, as the Oxford[2] Mail tried to get answers from the department, Network Rail and the county council, on behalf of frustrated residents, drivers and businesses. (Image: ROGER HARRIS/Wikimedia Commons) Lord Hendy apologises in his letter to Liz Leffman saying: "I extend my apologies for the inconveniences to you personally and to local residents, businesses and visitors to Oxford.

"To address such issues, I can advise you that Network Rail, in delivering the project, and Great Western Railway (GWR), in operating the station, will be implementing a joint plan that will bolster the marshalling resources with appropriately experienced staff to support persons with reduced mobility throughout the period of disruption." Lord Hendy said his officials were "pressing Network Rail closely" as it continues to produce "a robust plan" for completing the Botley Road bridge works, and the completion of the wider Oxford station enhancement project. READ MORE: Drivers warned about parking fine scam[3]

He added: "I absolutely understand all the concerns about the current closure of Botley Road, and I am urgently waiting to hear from Network Rail about its proposals to complete the works for the benefit of Oxford. "Following this, my office will reach out to arrange a meeting with all local stakeholders to provide an update on progress. In the meantime, I apologise for the disruption to the city."

Network Rail has not said when its ongoing review will be completed, or when an announcement will be made regarding a date for reopening Botley Road. The Oxford Mail asked the Department for Transport, Network Rail, and the county[4] council the following questions: *When will the Botley Road be reopened at the rail bridge, and when will the public be given a date for its reopening?

*When will the review into the GBP161m Oxford rail station scheme be completed, and when will a revised timetable for the scheme's completion be announced? *Will Network Rail apologise for the delays on the project, and for the overspend on the project? (Image: Oxford Mail) The Department for Transport did not respond directly to the questions, referring the Oxford Mail to Lord Hendy's letter to council leaders.

A spokeswoman for Network Rail said in response: "We understand how frustrating this delay is to local businesses and residents, and understand their concerns.    "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."  

(Image: Oxford Mail) A spokesman for the county council said the timing of the reopening of the Botley Road, the completion of the ongoing Network Rail review, and the announcement of a revised timetable for the completion of the station scheme was "a matter for Network Rail and the Department for Transport". Regarding an apology, the spokesman added: "Oxfordshire County Council is not responsible for the project's delays or overspend. Like everyone in Oxford we want to hear as soon as possible what Network Rail's plans and future timetable will be."

When the council, which is the highways authority, was asked if it gave Network Rail and contractors Kier permission to close Botley Road at the rail bridge, a spokesman replied: "The redevelopment of Oxford station and the replacement of the railway bridge is essentially a national infrastructure scheme. The question of OCC allowing or not allowing the work to proceed does not arise. (Image: Oxford Mail) "Our principal role is to co-ordinate with other streetwork requirements on the highway and manage the impact on the road network in close partnership with Network Rail and other stakeholders."

The county council is planning to launch six new traffic filters across the city to combat congestion but will not do so until the Botley Road is reopened. It has already awarded GBP2.9m of contracts relating to the launch of the filters. Labour city and county councillor Susanna Pressel said businesses in west Oxford met Network Rail officials on Thursday night.

She added: "They came up with dozens of complaints and many constructive suggestions as to how the current situation could be improved." Help support trusted local news  Sign up for a digital subscription now: oxfordmail.co.uk/subscribe [5]

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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. 

You can also read his weekly Traffic and Transport newsletter.

References

1. ^ READ MORE: Rail minister acutely aware of disruption (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)
2. ^ Oxford (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)
3. ^ READ MORE: Drivers warned about parking fine scam (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)
4. ^ county (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)
5. ^ oxfordmail.co.uk/subscribe  (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)
6. ^ can sign up to his newsletters for free here.  (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)