Businesses will have to adapt twice to the closure of Botley Road and residents will find life difficult, according to the spokesman of a local campaign group.

West Oxford Access was formed last year to monitor the work schedule resulting from Network Rail's £161m improvement scheme for the city's rail station.

Yesterday the rail authority confirmed that Botley Road will be shut at the rail bridge from April 11 until October.

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It will then be closed again from March until October in 2024. 

Initially Network Rail had planned a 12-month closure starting on January 9 but this timetable was abandoned.

Work being carried out includes rerouting utility cables, replacing the Botley Road rail bridge and creating a new western entrance to the station.

Oxford Mail:

Julian Le Vay, a spokesman for West Oxford Access, said: "I'm not sure this is any better just because the closure is split into two parts - businesses will have to adapt twice.

"It could be worse - it could be an even longer closure.

"A lot of people are going to find this very difficult - they will be forced out onto the ring road and will have to make much longer journies."

Mr Le Vay said some taxi drivers would be reluctant to visit the Botley Road and added that contractors Kier were running out of time to create a turning circle for buses.

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He added: "I wouldn't put money on that being ready in time - the youth hostel hasn't been demolished yet."

City and county councillor Susanna Pressel said: "I am discussing with Network Rail what help can be given to the residents in the Botley Road area who won’t be able to walk or use a wheelchair through the pedestrian tunnel.

"This is causing a huge amount of anxiety, so Network Rail must find a solution.

Oxford Mail:

"People are welcome to contact me with any other concerns.”

The former Mick's Cafe has been demolished and Kier said the former youth hostel would be demolished 'in weeks'.

The rail bridge is being replaced so that an additional rail line can be added into the station, and buses, cyclists and pedestrians can more easily access the city centre.

Before the bridge is replaced next year, 15 different utility services must divert their infrastructure that currently runs underneath the existing bridge and Network Rail must also complete other preliminary work.

Oxford Mail:

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The project timeline is as follows:

  • April 11 to October 2023 – Botley Road part closure until end of October for utility diversion work
  • July 29 to August 6 2023 – All rail lines through Oxford closed for track work and preparation work for new platform.
  • March to October 2024 - Botley Road closed for highway work
  • August 2024 – Four-day rail closure for bridge replacement.

Read more from this author

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