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Vital Botley Road project to shut down for 17 DAYS

No work will be carried out on delayed Botley Road works for more than two weeks during the Christmas period between December 20 and January 6, Network Rail has said. Botley Road has been closed since April 2023 for Network Rail's GBP161 million project aimed at expanding Oxford's central train station. The road was originally due to reopen in October 2024 but the project has faced repeated delays and the closure will continue into 2025 with Network Rail yet to announce a new reopening date.

READ MORE: Woman 'felt helpless during rape' by rapper Slowthai, trial hears[1] It comes as MP for Oxford West and Abingdon Layla Moran secured a meeting with Transport Secretary next week to discuss "Network Rail's mismanagement of the Oxford[3] Station upgrade and the persistent delays plaguing the project" and the impact on the local community and businesses.[2] Pedestrians walk into town under Botley Road rail bridge (Image: Ed Nix) Ms Moran said: "The extended closure of Botley Road has been disastrous for many local businesses, especially as we approach the Christmas period.

"Local residents and businesses have lost all faith in Network Rail to deliver this project and I look forward to getting some answers for them." It comes as Thames Water is also working to complete the connection of a new water main on the western side of Osney Bridge. Thames Water works on Osney Bridge Thames Water works on Osney Bridge (Image: Ben Hardy) The first phase of work is taking place at the entrance to the bus turning area, opposite the Mill Street junction by The One restaurant.

Here, the company is installing a new section of pipe to extend it to the site of the new connection point, between Abbey Road and Mill Street. This phase of works is planned to continue until November 30. Parking in Abbey Road, between Botley Road and Cripley Place junctions, is suspended to allow buses to be diverted to get to the turning area.

The suspension will remain in place until Friday, December 20. Anyone with a resident's parking permit is able to park in other streets within the wider West Oxford CPZ. Network Rail has also arranged some alternative parking for those permit holders directly impacted on Abbey Road, Cripley Place and Cripley Road.

The junction into Mill Street is open as usual, but reduced down to one lane, with temporary traffic[4] lights in place to manage traffic coming in and out. Network Rail said phase two of the work will begin in December. This will see the road closed between Abbey Road and Mill Street, with all traffic being diverted via Abbey Road.

This is planned to start on December 1. Thames Water is connecting a new water main on Osney Bridge (Image: Ben Hardy) Work will be paused for over a fortnight over the Christmas period but parking restrictions will be removed. A Network Rail spokesperson said: "We know how important Botley Road is to Oxford and apologise for the ongoing inconvenience."

READ MORE: A34 slip roads at Botley to close tonight for roadworks[5] She said when planning for a new water main to be installed on the bridge, the council requested it be paused over the Christmas period so that residents living around that area, especially in Abbey Road where parking is suspended for buses to be diverted, can have a break. "Work will continue on our other sites up until 24th December, with a break over the Christmas period, resuming again on 2nd January.

The site will be manned 24/7 throughout," she said. She added: "We've met with local businesses to understand their concerns and have been running a campaign to encourage people to shop locally, including signs to highlight that businesses are open and a series of videos about what they have to offer. "We are working out the best way forward for our project and will continue to engage with the local community as our plans develop."

Ms Moran also requested a meeting with Thames Water's CEO but was told Chris Weston will not be available for a meeting for three months - until March 2025. She said: "Thames Water's inability to arrange a timely meeting on this issue is both disappointing and, sadly, unsurprising. "Delays and inaction seem to be their standard response."

A Thames Water spokesperson said: "We are acutely aware of the urgency of the project and continue to work closely with Network Rail and their contractor Kier to deliver the works as efficiently as possible." Help support trusted local news  Sign up for a digital subscription now: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/subscribe/[6]

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References

  1. ^ READ MORE: Woman 'felt helpless during rape' by rapper Slowthai, trial hears (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)
  2. ^ Abingdon (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)
  3. ^ Oxford (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)
  4. ^ traffic (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)
  5. ^ READ MORE: A34 slip roads at Botley to close tonight for roadworks (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)
  6. ^ https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/subscribe/ (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)

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