A West Oxford councillor is calling for GP clinics to be held at a local community centre as a result of the year-long closure of the Botley Road.

County councillor for Jericho and Osney Susanna Pressel is also calling for a business rates rebate for local businesses affected by the closure.

Network Rail and the county council have agreed to close the road for 12 months from January 9 at the rail bridge, for work to replace the rail bridge and construction of the new western entrance of the station.

READ AGAIN:Botley Road will be closed for 12 months

But residents living near the station say a year-long closure is too disruptive and are lobbying for the work to completed more quickly.

Some residents have formed an action group called West Oxford Access.

Oxford Mail:

Ms Pressel said she was working on behalf on residents and businesses.

She added:"I have asked Network Rail to discuss with some of the GPs whether they will be able to carry out more home visits and to run occasional clinics at West Oxford Community Centre, as some of them used to.

"We also need to help some of the businesses in the Botley Road area.

I have asked the two councils (with the support of Network Rail) to apply to the Valuation Office for a business rates rebate.”

Ms Pressel added that many people who had contacted her 'know that we badly need a wider and better bridge'.

READ AGAIN: Botley Road closure should take less than a year

"Most of them feel that they will be able to cope by taking a bus as far as the bridge, walking through the tunnel and taking another bus or a taxi on the other side, or by wheeling their bike through the tunnel."

Oxford Mail:

The city and county councillor said she was working on behalf of residents who have mobility issues.

She said: "I am collecting a list of people who will not be able to do that. Network Rail must urgently find a way to meet their needs. These are mostly people who don’t have a car and who have mobility problems.

"They tend to rely on taxis to take them to places in the city, for instance to their doctor or to hospital appointments.

"Many of them feel that they won’t be able afford the extra cost of a taxi round the ring road."

Ms Pressel said she has also asked Network Rail to explore whether an e-bicycle taxi or rickshaw service can be provided.

The demolition of Station Grill and the youth hostel is expected to take place early in the new year.

A turning circle for buses will be created close to the Roger Dudman Way junction.

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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