Botley Road closure: Local businesses speak out about delays

Many businesses say they feel let down and that the road closure, which has been in place since 2023, has impacted their business.

One of those businesses is Westgate Hotel, located directly next to the main building works. 

Manager of the hotel, Andy Jones, said he was not surprised that the reopening of Botley Road is delayed.

He said: "It's ridiculous to think what they actually have achieved in the last 18 months that they've been working on site."

READ MORE: Oxford: Botley Road will not reopen as planned in October

Mr Jones said told the Oxford Mail that the business has lost revenue due to the noise at night with customers checking out early, asking for refunds, cancelling their rooms and leaving negative reviews.

He said despite sometimes being given 12 hours notice, the noise often "suddenly happens" and the hotel "finds out about it as it is happening", which Mr Jones says is "completely inconsiderate".

Mr Jones also said he has tried to claim compensation for the loss of revenue numerous times but has been "shut down at every point" by Network Rail.

"We feel let down - Network Rail haven't done enough really to help the local businesses."

Westgate Hotel next to the ongoing works on Botley Road (Image: Newsquest)

Zack Iqbal, owner of First Stop Spanner Works garage on Ferry Hinksey Road, also said he feels let down by Network Rail.

He added: "We're here again, how incompetent can an organisation be?

"Businesses can't survive a drop of income for such a long period of time."

He said cars are having to go the long way round to get to the garage due to Botley Road being shut. 

"It's not very good for the environment, it's just just terrible news for everybody."

Mr Iqbal says that him and approximately 15 other businesses have tried to engage with Network Rail and organise meetings, however after nine months they have not been given a date.

READ MORE: County Council speaks out about Botley Road closure

"Network Rail lie, they do not tell the truth about where we are- we just want truth."

Zack Iqbal, owner of First Stop Spanner Works (Image: Newsquest)

Joe Devlin, owner of Pickle and Lime on Botley Road, said the road closure has seen footfall to his business "drop massively".

"It’s the same old story," He said.

"It’s a shambles - it's terrible to the business.

"It has a massive impact on people travelling into us, we don’t see them anymore - we haven’t seen them for a long long time now.

He said: "The damage is already done, it’s not really repairable"

Pickle and Lime on Botley Road (Image: Newsquest)

Although everyone spoken to said they were not surprised by the delays, not all local businesses and residents seemed disappointed by the news.

Andy Holme, owner of Warlands Botley Road Cycles on Botley Road, said: "I wasn’t expecting it to be open on time, I would’ve been more shocked if it was finished on time."

He added that his business is one that’s least affected by the road closure due to people turning up on a bike.

Warlands Botley Road Cycles on Botley Road (Image: Newsquest)

A spokesperson for Network Rail said: We understand how frustrating this delay is to local businesses and residents and understand their concerns.

“We know how important Botley Road is to Oxford and apologise for the ongoing inconvenience.

"We are working out the best way forward and will continue to engage with the local community as our plans develop.  

“We have consistently communicated our plans and progress to residents, stakeholders and  businesses.

"We have held regular meetings, community drop-ins, and provided updates via our social media channels and over 80 editions of our weekly email newsletter which reaches more than 3,000 readers.

“We have been running a campaign to support local businesses, including producing a video series, and will continue to encourage people to shop locally.”