Oxford's youth hostel building is to be demolished to make way for a new entrance to Oxford rail station.
Network Rail is about to launch a multi-million pound improvement scheme for the station and last week it emerged that Botley Road will be closed for a year from January 9 at the rail bridge.
The county council and Network Rail have agreed that a year-long closure is the preferred option, instead of a series of closures.
Read again: Station Grill is to close
Utility cables need to be rerouted, the rail bridge is to be replaced, and work is to start on the new western entrance of the station.
To make way for the new entrance, Station Grill, formerly Mick's Cafe, is to be demolished, and the YHA building will also go.
A spokesman for Network Rail said demolition of the YHA would begin 'early next year'.
Oxford Business Action Group has expressed concern about the impact of the closure of the major route on businesses in the city.
Traffic will be able to access Botley Road but it will not be able to pass under the rail bridge in either direction.
Read more: Botley Road will close for 12 months
In the past, work in the area has been dealt with using temporary traffic lights and single-lane traffic but this option has been rejected.
The Youth Hostel Association has been aware of Network Rail's plans since 2014.
The association has had a hostel in the city since 1936 and has been in Botley Road since 2001, with a major refurbishment taking place in 2012.
The YHA building had a major role to play during the pandemic in 2020 when it was used to accommodate rough sleepers and the homeless.
A total of 94 homeless people were housed at the YHA building and at a block of flats on Cowley Road.
They were originally given emergency accommodation at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, and then allocated 'more settled interim housing' at the YHA and at Canterbury House on Cowley Road.
The YHA building now appears to be empty, and construction firm Kier has its sign in the window.
It is not yet known if the youth hostel association has found an alternative location for a hostel in the city.
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The Oxford hostel is no longer listed on the organisation's website, and the nearest alternative YHA is in Streatley near Henley.
It is understood that the removal of Station Grill and the YHA will help to make space for a turning circle for buses.
The demolition of such a large building close to the city centre could cause some traffic disruption, with construction vehicles visiting the site.
City council spokesman Tony Ecclestone said: "Purchase of the building from YHA was completed in March.
"St Mungo’s were using it on a temporary basis during the pandemic.
"Everyone in the YHA was offered alternative accommodation by the St Mungo’s outreach team.
"We’re now using the Somewhere Safe to Stay service at Floyds Row – together with some use of hotels/B&Bs – as a way of helping people off the streets in the first instance."
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This story was written by Andy Ffrench, he joined the team more than 20 years ago and now covers community news across Oxfordshire.
Get in touch with him by emailing: Andy.ffrench@newsquest.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter @OxMailAndyF
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