THE closure of a major road into Oxford will cause ‘absolute chaos’ in the city centre, a councillor has warned.
Botley Road is set to close for a ‘significant period of time’ due to work on the road’s rail bridge.
The bridge needs to be replaced as part of Network Rail’s plans to increase capacity at Oxford Train Station, with this leading to the complete closure of Botley Road.
The station is being expanded as it is ‘close to full capacity’, with services being increased from 2024.
A spokesperson for Network Rail told this newspaper that both Botley Road and the station will be closed next summer.
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While timings on how long the closure will last are unconfirmed, it is believed that it could be approximately three months.
Liam Walker, Oxfordshire County Council’s shadow cabinet member for highway management, said: “It’s going to be absolute chaos for Oxford and the city centre.
“When you’ve got one half of the city blocked off with LTNs and now a major road blocked off, there’ll be an effect on public transport and businesses.
“With the cost of fuel and how high it is right now, all this will do is add more costs to vans and delivery drivers.
“It’s already a very tricky part of Oxford to navigate around, so I’m really surprised they’re going for a full road closure rather than just a single-lane one.
“It’s also surprising that they’re not looking at doing this during night-time, but I appreciate it’s a massive project.”
Oxford city councillor for the Osney and St Thomas ward, Lois Muddiman, highlighted the impact on accessing healthcare in West Oxford.
She said: “It’s going to cause a lot of disruption – there’ll be a significant problem getting to the doctors.
“There’ll need to be access for emergency services, these are the things that will need to be looked at.
“A lot of people will be struggling to get to work too, but it’s important you’re still able to walk and cycle into Oxford, and get public transport.
“If this leads to more cycling and walking then that would be a good thing.
“Anything to make the buses more affordable would be great too, for the duration of the Botley Road closure.”
Judy Roberts, an Oxfordshire county councillor for the North Hinksey division, also highlighted the impact on accessing healthcare.
She said: “If Botley Road is to be closed, there’ll be a lot of disruption for people getting their healthcare provision.
“You’ve also got the primary schools to factor in too, and the impact on them.
“Active travel is what we’re trying to do, and I see far more people walking in down Botley Road now – people’s attitudes are changing but not quickly enough.”
A spokesperson for Network Rail said the operator is in discussions with the county council.
“The key period for us on Botley Road will be next summer when we need to replace the bridge,” the spokesperson said.
“This will mean the road and station will need to be completely closed. This is due to take place at the end of July or start of August.
“Ahead of that we will need to do preparation work, including the diversion of utility services. We are currently discussing all this with Oxfordshire County Council to establish best way of doing this.”
County councillor John Howson said: “The question is does it need to be a complete closure or a one-way closure?
“The biggest losers in this will be the Westgate as people won’t be able to get to the car park, especially if the Seacourt Park and Ride is closed too.
“The station needs improving, we need the extra platforms – it’s an absolute necessity.”
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A county council spokesperson said: “Oxfordshire County Council, as highways authority, is exploring all options in minimising traffic disruption in connection with work due to be carried out to expand Oxford Station later this year and in 2023.
“No decisions have yet been taken, but the work will inevitably impact on users of Botley Road for a significant period of time.
“We are working with Network Rail, and also with Thames Water, who it is hoped can take advantage of the closure to carry out repairs on Osney Bridge and avoid more disruption at a later date.
“We are also looking at using the closure as an opportunity to complete work on the Botley Road corridor, again to reduce future disruption.
“We will make announcements when arrangements have been made and will be keeping residents and road users informed about the plans as soon as we can.
“This project is necessary to improve Oxford’s rail links and will be welcomed by train users as it will expand Oxford Station, enabling more train services to run, as well as increasing the capacity of Botley Road bridge under the railway for road users, including cyclists.”
Read more from this author
This story was written by Liam Rice, he joined the team in 2019 as a multimedia reporter.
Liam covers politics, travel and transport. He occasionally covers Oxford United.
Get in touch with him by emailing: Liam.rice@newsquest.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter @OxMailLiamRice
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