Network Rail has announced a revised timeline for the reopening of Botley Road in Oxford, part of a multi-million-pound project to upgrade Oxford station and improve transport links to the city. Under the updated schedule, Botley Road will reopen in August 2026.
In the meantime, significantly improved access for pedestrians and cyclists is set to be introduced this summer, with a new walkway that’s nearly four times larger than the previous one. This expanded pathway will provide much more space for people walking and cycling to enter and leave the city as the project progresses.
The upgrade will also include a new, state-of-the-art flood defence system. This will feature a deep concrete layer well below ground to stop groundwater from rising and a modern pumping system with large retention tanks to manage surface water effectively.
According to Network Rail, it has collaborated closely with its contractors and the Department for Transport to develop this revised programme for the Oxford Station Enhancement scheme, incorporating feedback from residents, businesses, and both local and county councils while delivering vital improvements to the city’s transport infrastructure.
Lord Peter Hendy, the Rail Minister, Sir Andrew Haines, Network Rail’s Chief Executive, and senior Network Rail representatives joined Layla Moran, MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, at a public information event on Friday, 24 January. The event aimed to outline the new plans and provide updates to residents and businesses affected by the work.
Rail Minister 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.”
The project will deliver the necessary utility diversions, along with enhancements to Botley Road, the replacement of the Sheepwash bridge to accommodate more rail services and the new platform 5, with a continued drive to identify cost efficiencies.
Network Rail also announced a series of measures, developed in response to feedback from residents and local businesses, to help minimise the impact of the ongoing closure. These include:
- Botley Flyer Bus Service: The free and accessible Botley Flyer now operates five days a week, providing transport to the city centre.
- Enhanced Pedestrian Tunnel Safety: 24/7 security marshals patrol the pedestrian tunnel near the closure to support users and ensure their safety.
- Improved Tunnel Facilities: Upgrades include enhanced CCTV, lighting, signage, and surfacing. Additional lighting and CCTV have also been installed along the temporary Becket Street alleyway from Frideswide Square.
- Accessibility Enhancements: Extra drop-off disabled bays have been added on the western side of the station, and a new travel assist point is available to help people with reduced mobility get from the cabin to the station platform. Work is ongoing to identify suitable locations for a taxi rank on the west side of the station.
- Audio Navigation Support: A new audio guide map, developed with OxTalk and MyVision, helps people navigate the closure.
- Support for Local Businesses: Banners and posters at Oxford station and surrounding areas remind people that local businesses remain open. Promotional videos for these businesses will be shared on Network Rail and Oxfordshire Connect social media channels. Network Rail continues to collaborate with businesses to identify further support measures.
- Business Engagement: A bi-monthly roundtable chaired by the Federation of Small Businesses provides project updates, gathers feedback from businesses, and explores additional ways to mitigate the impact of the work.
- Traffic Management Improvements: Adjustments have been made to reduce congestion.
- Regular Updates: Information on the project will continue to be shared via a digital newsletter and the Oxfordshire Connect Facebook page.
In addition, Network Rail has introduced a new feedback scheme, inviting ideas and suggestions for further improvement measures as work progresses. Passengers, residents, and members of the local community can share their feedback by emailing OxfordFeedback@networkrail.co.uk.
As well as improving transport links to the city, when complete, the work will enable more train services to run, improve the station environment and deliver important improvements in accessibility with wide pedestrian paths and cycleways away from busy traffic.
Upon work beginning at the site, two major obstacles were uncovered. The first was the Victorian brick arch, which was three times larger in size than historical records and ground investigations showed, and was more critical to the structure of Botley Road and the flood defence system than expected.
The second was the proximity of sewerage to clean water, which meant it wasn’t possible to work on both at the same time as initially planned. Thames Water has now found a satisfactory solution to diverting the water supply and the main sewer, which has been built into the new scheme and programme.
Network Rail’s Western route 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.
“We already have a number of measures in place to lessen the impact of the closure as much as we can, and will continue to work with local authorities, stakeholders and communities to explore additional options. We also appreciate this work is having an impact on local businesses and are looking at further ways we can help them.”
Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council, said: “I understand and echo the further disappointment that today’s announcement will bring to residents and businesses in West Oxford and Botley.
“This has taken too long already. However, I welcome Lord Hendy’s active involvement in driving things towards a resolution and his willingness to meet and hear from the people most affected.
“The redevelopment of Oxford Station is essential and will bring real long-term benefits to the city. Without it, proposals to reopen the Cowley Branch Line to passengers or increase the capacity on East-West rail services will not be feasible.
“Now that we have renewed plans and a revised timeline, it is essential that we see real progress in the months ahead to rebuild public confidence in this important infrastructure development.”
A further public information event will be held at the West Oxford Community Association Centre on Botley Road on Wednesday, 29 January, for residents to find out more about the updated timeline for reopening Botley Road and the status of the work.
Those planning to attend will be able to book their place in a session.
