Network Rail provides new timeline for reopening Botley Road in August 2026

Network Rail has revealed its plans to complete the redevelopment of Oxford Station, following a series of delays which has seen Botley Road closed to through traffic for nearly 22 months. The new programme will see Botley Road reopen in August 2026, while improved access for pedestrians and cyclists will be introduced this summer. [1] The GBP161 million project, which began in April 2023, was due to be completed in October 2024 - including the replacement of the Botley Road railway bridge.

However, Network Rail was unable to keep to this schedule due to the discovery of an inverted brick arch under the surface. It also failed to reopen Botley Road between October 2023 and March 2024, as previously planned, because of the same problem. Another obstacle was the proximity of sewerage to clean water, preventing it working on both at the same time as initially planned.

Thames Water has now found a solution to diverting the water supply and the main sewer, which has been built into the new programme. Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: "The residents and businesses in the Botley Road area have suffered nearly two years of disruption because of this project. "They have been left in limbo since July 2024 when the most recent delays to the scheme were announced.

Network Rail has told us it is confident its revised plan is deliverable and it is essential that it sticks to its timetable. We will be holding them to account on that. "We remain supportive of the redevelopment of Oxford Station, which will bring improved capacity for passengers and freight, and is vital for the development of future rail projects.

We also welcome the pledge to deliver improved pedestrian access this summer. "Until the project is completed, we will continue to work with partners to minimise the impact of the extended Botley Road closure on the rest of the road network." Oxfordshire County Council will now assess the impact of today's update on the timing of its own schemes in and around Oxford, including the six trial traffic filters.[2]

Network Rail said that this summer, a much-improved and larger walkway will open, giving much more space for pedestrians and cyclists to get into and out of the city as the rest of the project is completed. A new upgraded flood defence system will also be installed, which includes a new concrete layer, well below ground, to keep out rising ground water and a new pumping system with huge retention tanks to deal with surface water. Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, visited Oxford yesterday for Network Rail's announcement.

Lord Hendy said: "The continuing works surrounding Botley Road are frustrating, and the delays are unacceptable, which is why I wanted to hear firsthand from all those affected. "I tasked Network Rail with producing a robust plan for its completion, which included additional measures to minimise and mitigate disruption as much as possible while still allowing this work to progress. "I'm pleased they have acted and I can assure residents and businesses that there is light at the end of the tunnel."

Network Rail's Western Route's Managing Director, Marcus Jones, said: "We're extremely sorry for the impact the road closure is having on the people of Oxford. "This is an incredibly complex project, involving multiple organisations, which has faced a number of significant challenges, but we understand the anger and frustration the delays to this project have caused. "Our review has scrutinised every aspect of the programme, and with the utility diversions now well advanced, we're confident the revised plan is deliverable."

Network Rail will hold a public information event at the West Oxford Community Association Centre on Botley Road on Wednesday 29 January for residents to find out more about the updated timeline and the status of the work.

For information on the project visit Network Rail's Oxfordshire Connect website, where people can also sign up for regular email updates.[3][4]

Click Sign up to hear from us and receive the latest news and updates in our fortnightly newsletter, Your Oxfordshire.[5]

References

^ new programme (www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk)
^ six trial traffic filters (news.oxfordshire.gov.uk)
^ Oxfordshire Connect website (www.networkrail.co.uk)
^ regular email updates (lineside.networkrail.co.uk)
^ Sign up (www.oxfordshire.gov.uk)