Botley Road closure: Bus operator slams lack of compensation

Botley Road is currently closed at the rail bridge, forcing buses to terminate and begin their routes at Osney Island.

Rail passengers must now walk under the rail bridge to pick up a bus on either side of the closure.

READ MORE: Network Rail issue update on Botley Road closure a month on

MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, Layla Moran wrote to the bus company, Stagecoach, asking for them to extend their S1 and E1 services beyond midnight.

Managing director for Stagecoach West Rachel Geliamassi responded saying this was not possible due to financial losses caused by the Botley Road closure.

She told Ms Moran, who shared the letter on Twitter: “We understand that the closure of the bridge has caused inconvenience and disruption to many of our customers, and we have worked hard to offer the best compromise within the vehicle and driver resources that we have.

“However, during the closure we are predicting significant losses to our revenue and fewer passengers choosing to travel by bus, which will have a long-term impact on our business.

“Unfortunately, we are not receiving any financial support that would cover the costs to operate any additional services or revenue loss.

“It is disappointing that a £161m project that is having such a detrimental impact on bus users hasn’t been able to offer anything to support bus operators.”

Network Rail has also faced criticism from Ms Moran who back in April raised ‘serious’ concerns about the safety of the bus stops on Botley Road.

Large volumes of people have been seen waiting at the bus stops at peak times making it difficult for pedestrians to pass on the pavement.

Last week Oxfordshire County Council trialled a new bus stop on Botley Road after Ms Moran demanded an emergency summit with the local authority and Network Rail to discuss the issue.

Ms Moran said: “I am glad the agencies involved have been able to work together to get this over the line, and hope it is just the first of many steps taken to iron out the difficulties residents are facing as a result of the road closure.”

Local businesses have also hit out at Network Rail for offering no compensation for the disruption they are enduring.

Zach Iqbal, who owns First Stop Spanner Works on Ferry Hinksey Road, said he had experienced a 50 per cent drop in footfall since the closure.

Mr Iqbal also raised concerns that the works were taking far longer than necessary.

He said: “Network Rail has definitely taken the pressure off themselves but doing the works over such a long time period.

“Whenever I’ve been down there are only a few of them working there.”

Network Rail has been contacted for comment.