New traffic filters across Oxford - otherwise known as bus gates - will be postponed until after Botley Road closures for station improvements.
This morning Network Rail and the county council revealed their timetable for closing the road at the rail bridge so that work can take place as part of an £161m upgrade for Oxford station.
The road will be closed at the bridge from April 11 until October this year, and closed for highways work for a similar period next year.
READ AGAIN: Botley Road closure dates are revealed
Some work has already started, and the former youth hostel building is about to be demolished.
Contractors will now move utility cables in advance of building a new western entrance for the station andlater replacing the Botley Road rail bridge.
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 6 August 6 2023 – All rail lines through Oxford closed for track work and prep work for new platform.
March to October 2024 - Botley Road closed for highway work
August 2024 – Four-day rail closure for bridge replacement.
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County council leaders confirmed at a briefing yesterday thay the traffic filters triall, approved by the council’s cabinet, will now be delayed.
It will not start until after Botley Road has fully reopened to traffic in autumn 2024.
There will be limited roadworks on other roads into the city although it will be impossible to prevent utility companies carrying out work on emergencies such as a burst water main or gas leak.
Further parking/loading restrictions may also need to be considered, and the use of bus and park and ride services will be strongly promoted.
Andrew Gant, the county council's cabinet member for highways management, said: "It is great to hear we have confirmed dates from Network Rail for work to start to redevelop Oxford station.
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"It will improve capacity for passengers and freight and is vital for the development of projects such as East West Rail and other improvements.
"As with any project of this scale, it will inevitably mean disruption - in this case the closure of Botley Road for two significant periods.
"While this cannot be avoided, we will do all we can to minimise the impact on the rest of the road network. We will work closely with Network Rail and our other partners, such as the bus companies, to keep the city moving during this period."
A new turning circle is being created for buses in time for April 11.
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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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