Today was the first day of the closure of Botley Road at the rail bridge, with work now underway to remove the road surface from underneath.
Overall it appears to have been a positive start, with buses using the turning area created by the bridge for the first time, allowing them to continue serving the Botley Road area. Pedestrians, cyclists and deliveries have been seen passing through the walkway without issue.
Being the first day, there were a few minor teething issues, but nothing that can’t be ironed out. However, it’s worth noting that it’s still the school holiday period, so it’s likely to be busier next week when schools reopen.
In the meantime, businesses in and around Botley Road will remain open throughout the closure.
Drivers
If you regularly drive into the city using Botley Road, use Seacourt Park and Ride or any of Oxford’s park & ride sites. You can avail of a reduced ticket price covering parking and return bus travel until the end of September 2023.
Read more: Cheaper park & ride travel fare offer extended for extra six months
Pedestrians, mobility scooters and cyclists
Pedestrians, mobility scooters and dismounted cyclists can use the walkway under the bridge between Mill Street and Becket Street. Traffic Marshals are available to help, so please ask if you need assistance.
There are also alternative walking and cycling routes that you may wish to take, namely:
- Osney Lane stepped footbridge (accessed via Mill Street and Becket Street)
- Roger Dudman Way and Walton Well Road (for access to/from Jericho)
- King George Field, Oatlands Road Recreation Ground, Ferry Hinksey Road, Osney Mead into Grandpont Nature Park
Local residents (for access to their homes)
From Tuesday, 11 April, access to Cripley Road and Roger Dudman Way by car is via Abbey Road and Cripley Place. Road signs are in place during the closure.
Buses
All bus services from Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach will drop off and pick up at the Osney Island bus stops. Passengers will need to make their own way between Osney Island and Frideswide Square. Any passengers requiring onward bus services into the city centre and beyond should head to the bus stops located at the front of the train station.
Read more: Changes in bus services due to Botley Road rail bridge closure
Trains
There is an emergency closure of the railway between Didcot Parkway and Oxford whilst work is carried out to install a temporary structure to stabilise Nuneham Viaduct near Abingdon-on-Thames. The tracks will be closed until 11 June, with services from Cross Country and Great Western Railways being replaced by buses.
Chiltern Railways are operating services between Oxford and London Marylebone, but they are likely to be busier than usual.
Accessible transport
The Botley Road Comet is a minibus service operating from Osney and Botley for anyone that needs assistance getting to/from the city centre.
Working with Oxford City Council’s Inclusive Transport and Movement Focus Group and OxTalk, Network Rail is creating an audio guide to help people make the journey independently between Osney Island and the train station and Frideswide Square. Further information on this will be released in the coming weeks.
