Botley Road year-long closure start date is scrapped by Network Rail

In October, it emerged that the multi-million pound scheme to  improve Oxford railway station would close Botley Road in Oxford for a year, beginning on January 9.

The county council and Network Rail agreed that closing the road from January 2023 to December at Botley Road rail bridge was the best course of action.

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But Network Rail has now told the county council it is pulling the plug on the timetable and talks will take place next week to agree a new plan.

Network Rail spokesman David Paull said: "Replacing the bridge over Botley Road to facilitate a new platform, western entrance and road improvements is an incredibly complex project, which needs to be completed by the end of 2024 in time for the start of East West Rail services.

"We are working with partners to refine our plans for the delivery of the works to enhance the station and do not now need to start the full closure of Botley Road in January.

"Part of this review is looking at how to reduce the impact of our work on local community. Further details will be confirmed in the coming weeks."

It is understood that the delay has been caused by Network Rail's concerns that work to divert utilities cables would run into the summer schedule for replacing the rail bridge.

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One possibility in order to avoid this is to delay the replacement of the rail bridge until the summer of 2024.

And it's possible that two shorter closure periods could replace a year-long closure.

Electronic road signs which have gone up around Oxford alerting drivers to the January 9 closure date will now be updated.

Mr Paull added: "We apologise for any confusion caused."

The county council said Network Rail has told council leaders that it will no longer be able to meet its 9 January start date for the redevelopment of Oxford Station.

It added: "Detailed discussions with the county council had led to the conclusion that there should be a 12-month closure of Botley Road to traffic for the duration of the work, which will include replacing the rail bridge over Botley Road. However, Network Rail has now said it is not in a position to meet this start date.

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"Due to the scale and nature of the works on the highway, including the need to divert vital utility services such as water, gas and electricity, the impact on Botley Road will be significant. The council, Network Rail and others are discussing a new way forward."

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for highways management, said: “Although we were disappointed to learn about the need to delay the start of works for Oxford Station, as the highways authority Oxfordshire County Council will continue to work with Network Rail and discharge our duty to manage the highways network effectively.

“Once any new arrangements have been confirmed, we will work with Network Rail and other partners to make sure the details are communicated clearly and accurately to everyone who might be affected.”

Network Rail said it was working with partners to refine its plans for the delivery of the works to enhance the station, adding that part of this review will look at how to reduce the impact of our work on local community.

The county council will now assess the impact the change of timing from January 9 will have on the timing of its own schemes in and around Oxford, including six trial traffic filters across the city.

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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