Oxford: Man arrested after BMW stuck in Botley Road walkway

Police were called to Botley Road at around 3.30am today (Sunday, July 7) to reports of a man who had driven down the walkway.

Pedestrians have been using a narrow walkway to get past the ongoing works at the rail bridge that has resulted in Botley Road being closed to vehicles for more than a year.

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However, the walkway had been left blocked by a BMW car with one eyewitness saying he came across the obstacle on his way to work at around 4am.

A 24-year-old man from Charlbury has been arrested on suspicion of driving a motor vehicle dangerously and driving a motor vehicle with alcohol concentration above the prescribed limit.

He remains in police custody at this time.

The car was towed away from the walkway at around 11.45am.

The BMW being towed away at around noon on Sunday (Image: Ben Hardy, Newsquest)

A Thames Valley Police spokesperson, said: “Officers were called to Botley Road, Oxford at approximately 3.28am this morning (July 7) to reports of a man who had driven down a footpath in his vehicle.

“Officers are investigating the incident and the car is being recovered.

“A 24-year-old man from Charlbury was arrested on suspicion of driving a motor vehicle dangerously and driving a motor vehicle with alcohol concentration above the prescribed limit. He remains in custody at this time.

“Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 101 or make a report online quoting investigation reference number 43240321024.”

The car being towed away from the scene on Sunday (Image: Ben Hardy, Newsquest)

The walkway is opening to the public again now the car has been towed away.

In a statement issued at 12.30pm, Oxford West and Abingdon MP Layla Moran said: "I understand the walkway is about to reopen if it isn’t already.

"Thanks to the staff who have done their best in this situation. As to the cause of the disruption -this is now rightly a matter for the police."

Cyclists were having to carry their bikes up the flight of stairs where the railway bridge crosses the pathway while it was blocked off. 

A cyclist sent us this picture while the walkway was blocked by a BMW car (Image: Contributed)

Botley Road is scheduled to reopen at the rail bridge on October 24.

A Network Rail spokeswoman said: “A vehicle drove into the pedestrian walkway on Botley Road in the early hours of Sunday morning, blocking access for those on foot or with bicycles.
 
“We worked with our local partners to secure alternative access, including through Oxford station and over Osney Lane footbridge.
 
“The emergency services have removed the vehicle from the walkway and are now investigating the incident.”