Botley Road closure: Businesses suffer from drop in trade

Network Rail are currently carrying out a multi-million-pound re-development of Oxford Station.

The company say it will see a bigger station built, new track put in, and improvements to the roads around the station.

READ MORE: Botley Road emergency summit: New bus stop after Oxford MP raises concerns

The road is not due to re-open until October with a similar closure planned for next year.

The bridge is only open to pedestrians and cyclists with motorists being forced to find an alternative route into the city.

Zach Iqbal who owns First Stop Spanner Works on Ferry Hinksey Road said he was 50 to 60 per cent down in trade due to the road closure.

He said: “The feedback we are getting from customers is that it is just such a long way to reach us now via the ring road.

“Say from Jericho for example, that used to be an 800-metre drive, it is now several miles.

“We have spoken to some of the other businesses around here and they are all suffering.

“It is like a zombie town.”

Mr Iqbal added it was not just customers that are having difficulty getting to his garage, but deliveries are also having the same problem.

He said: “Most businesses have said to us that they will only deliver to us once a day now, which is having an effect on our trade.”

Aldens Meatmaster in the Osney Mead industrial estate has also seen a drop in customers.

When the road closed one month ago, the owner of the specialist meat shop campaigned for signs to be put up on Botley Road to tell motorists that business on the road were still open.

Aldens Meatmaster employee Roxy Klein said: “We have definitely noticed a change, especially in the first couple of weeks after the road closed when people were confused if they could still get to the business.

“We are also seeing that a lot of customers are delayed getting here or are coming at different times.

“For example, there are more people coming at the weekends when there is less traffic on the A34.”

She added that it would make a big difference if there were more signs on the A34 and Botley Road area directing people to the businesses.

Lisa Rowles, from Classique Unisex Hair Salon on Botley Road, added: “I have found that it has been quieter in the last month, and you can notice the difference.

“But most of our customers are local.

“You just don’t know what is going to happen!”.

Network Rail and Oxfordshire County Council were contacted for comment in relation to the claims made in this article.

A spokesperson for Oxfordshire County Council said: "Oxfordshire County Council will continue to work with partners to tackle issues as they arise while Network Rail’s redevelopment work at Oxford Station is taking place.

"We have tried to make it clear on our signage and communications that Botley Road remains open for business, and that the closure is only at the railway bridge.

"We would invite any businesses who are affected to get in touch with us."

A spokesperson for Network Rail said: “As we pass the first month-milestone of our major project to upgrade the station and railway in Oxford, we’d like to thank the local community for their cooperation, patience and understanding.

"We appreciate the past few weeks have required an adjustment to daily lives for many, but we continue to work closely with key partners to improve things, where we can, and keep everyone updated.

"We are very sorry for any disruption caused and will keep everyone updated throughout our work."