Network Rail has confirmed that Botley Road will not reopen in October 2024 as planned. The road has been closed since April 2023 as part of a £116 million project to redevelop Oxford train station.
Initially, the proposed start date for the works to replace the rail bridge and the ensuing closure of Botley Road was 09 January 2023, and it is expected that the closure will last until December 2023.
Due to the scale and nature of the works on the highway, including the need to divert vital utility services such as water, gas and electricity, Network Rail announced a revised first closure date of 11 April to October 2023 and a second road closure scheduled for March to October 2024.
However, further complications meant the closure of Botley Road was revised to run through to October 2024.
Now, a statement from Network Rail has confirmed that Botley Road will not reopen in October as planned because the replacement of the Botley Road railway bridge scheduled for the end of July has been postponed.
The message from Network Rail reads: “You will no doubt be disappointed to learn that we have had to postpone the replacement of Botley Road railway bridge that was planned for the end of July.
“As you’re probably aware, we’ve been working to divert the complex layout of utility pipes and cables under the road, including the sewer system, to make the necessary space for the new bridge layout.
“Working on this outdated maze of pipes and cables spread out below the highway, in a severely constrained space, with poor ground conditions and high water levels, has presented significant engineering challenges.
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The message continues: ”Unfortunately, despite concerted effort by all organisations involved, the work can’t be completed in time to tie in with our planned closure of the railway at the end of this month.
“While we’ve made significant progress on most aspects of this huge programme, including the construction of the new platform on the western side of s up. These need to be moved out of the way before we can do essential piling to create the foundations for the new bridge.
“Given the importance of these utility services to around 60,000 households, it’s vital we get this work right.
“Unfortunately, as a result, Botley Road will not be in a position to reopen in October as planned. We know how distressing this news will be, especially to those residents and businesses to the west of the city that rely on Botley Road.
“We’re working with Oxfordshire County Council, as well as Oxford City Council and Vale of White Horse District Council to agree the best way forward to complete this important project and minimise further impact on the city.
“We understand that you will have further questions about our next steps and we will use this newsletter and our Facebook group to keep you updated. There will also be further public engagement events over the coming months.
While Network Rail won’t be in a position to replace the bridge as originally planned at the end of the month, they still intend to make use of the time available to make progress on the new platform. In addition, they will also be continuing the resignalling programme, as well as carrying out track upgrade work to the south of Oxford near Culham.
Originally all rail lines through Oxford were due to be closed for five days, but now they will only be closed for two, on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 July. Over that weekend, there will be no train services between Didcot Parkway and Oxford station, with a Rail Replacement Service operating from Becket Street car park.
There will also be work taking place to the north of Oxford, which will affect train services between Oxford/Bicester Village and Leamington Spa, between Saturday 27 and Wednesday 31 July.
