The Botley Road closure has left elderly and disabled bus passengers facing six-months of uncertainty.

The arterial route into the city shut today (April 11) at the rail bridge while a multi-million-pound redevelopment of Oxford Station is carried out.

Buses into Oxford are currently terminating at Osney Bridge and passengers are expected to walk under the bridge and pick up another bus on the other side.

READ MORE: 'Botley Road closure is a useful opportunity' says community group

This has raised concerns about the ability of passengers with mobility challenges to travel by bus into Oxford.

No significant measures have been put in place by Network Rail to assist these passengers with the transfer.

The rail company said it will be running an accessible service just three times a week to take elderly and disabled passengers from one termination point to the other.

Oxford Mail:

According to the Oxford Bus Company, Network Rail is also developing an audio guide to help visually impaired customers navigate the transfer.

Luke Marion, Oxford Bus Company Managing Director said: “Access for passengers with mobility challenges is an issue we raised with Network Rail and with Oxfordshire County Council as a concern during planning discussions.

“We spent significant time working with them to identify whether it would be possible for bus stops to be moved closer to the station area than the current arrangements at Osney Island to try to mitigate this concern. 

Oxford Mail:

“Unfortunately, this did not prove possible for safety reasons, due to the need to maintain vehicle access to residential properties in Mill Street, Abbey Road and Cripley Road during the closure.

 “We are, however, pleased to see that following engagement with the Oxford City Inclusive Transport and Movement Group, Network Rail has implemented some mitigations for those with mobility challenges, such as an audio guide to help people navigate through the closure.

"There is also an enhanced demand responsive Comet service to help people in the Botley area who cannot easily manage the walk to continue to access the city centre during the works.

“Unfortunately access under the bridge has been temporarily closed for all road users, including our buses.

“We have a duty to ensure that our services continue to be available to serve the needs of those who need to continue to access the Botley Road as best as they can during Network Rail’s Oxford rail station upgrade works.”

Network Rail was approached for comment in relation to the challenges that passengers with mobility issues are facing in light of the Botley Road closure.  

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “To support passengers with accessibility needs in getting to and from the city centre, there will be an accessible bus service operating three times a week from Osney and Botley, called the Botley Road Comet.

“We are also working with Oxfordshire County Council’s Inclusive Transport and Movement Focus Group and OxTalk to create an audio guide to help people make the journey independently between Osney Island and the train station and Frideswide Square.”

Passengers can contact oxfordphase2@networkrail.co.uk for further information on the service.