THE anticipated three-month closure of Oxford Train Station will ultimately lead to various improved facilities for commuters, from 2024.
As revealed by this newspaper last week, the station will be closed for a ‘significant period of time’ next summer due to work to replace Botley Road rail bridge.
This is part of Network Rail’s plans to increase capacity at the station, and will also lead to the closure of Botley Road.
While timings on how long the closure will last are unconfirmed, it is believed that it could be approximately three months.
Network Rail says plans are set to be finalised towards the end of this month.
Work however will include the creation of a new platform and a secondary station entrance on the western side of the railway.
Three high-speed crossovers will be created at Oxford North Junction, which will improve the safety of the line, while creating capacity for additional Oxford to Birmingham services.
Lines in and out of Oxford station are already set to be closed over four weekends in September and October, to allow the second phase of works to increase capacity.
This is currently set for the weekends of September 10-11, 17-18, and 24-25, plus October 1-2.
Buses will replace regular train services.
Work will help improve train services on the line by increasing speeds they can travel from 25mph to 75mph.
On August 19, Network Rail will be hosting a drop-in event at the West Oxford Community Centre between 2pm and 7pm, with members of the project team able to answer questions.
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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