Network Rail bosses say they need more time before they can announce when Botley Road will reopen at the rail bridge.

Earlier this month Network Rail announced Botley Road will not reopen as planned at the end of October.

The major route into the city has been closed at the rail bridge since April 2023 as part of the £161m redevelopment of Oxford station. Work includes the replacement of the rail bridge.

READ MORE: Traffic filters scheme is postponed

Initially the road was supposed to reopen temporarily from October 2023 to March 2024 but delays forced Network Rail to re-think and announce the closure would continue until October 2024.

Now the rail authority has announced there will be further delays - although it has not said yet when the road will reopen due to the complexity of diverting a large number of underground utility cables.

As a result, the county council has announced it has postponed its plans for six new traffic filters across the city to limit car journeys at certain times of day.

Network Rail said on Thursday it still needs more time before it could say when Botley Road will be reopened as "a review" is now being carried out.

A spokesman said: "Work is continuing on the ground at Botley Road and our focus remains on finding the best way forward to deliver the benefits of this major programme for Oxford.   

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“We are working with the Department for Transport and local authority partners as we undertake a full review of the programme and will provide an update on timescales for the next steps of the project as soon as we’re able. 

"The review will look at what has been achieved so far, what remains to be done, plus the timescales and budget required. It will also consider options for rescheduling the replacement of Botley Road bridge. 

"This is an incredibly complex project, involving multiple organisations, so although we know everyone wants clarity, we are taking the time to get it right.”

(Image: Andy Ffrench) Jericho and Osney county councillor Susanna Pressel said she would continue to lobby the rail authority for an update on when Botley Road would be ready to reopen.

She added: "There’s no indication of when the road will be reopened.

"When I had a one-to-one meeting with our Network Rail liaison man just before the announcement, that was of course the first question I asked.

"It seems a lot of discussions must take place before a decision on the new timings can take place, with the final decision being for the Department for Transport, who are funding the project.

"Also it is apparently difficult to agree new dates for the blockade, when all the trains will be stopped for a few days. This is normally arranged a very long time in advance, which is bad news for us.

"Network Rail have arranged for me to meet their Industry programme director early next week. I have a long list of questions and requests for her.

"Top of the list will be to urge them to tell us the new date as soon as possible, followed by a lot of suggestions as to how they could make the awful situation for residents and businesses slightly less awful.”

Traffic is being rerouted in Frideswide Square due to roadworks.

A spokesman for the county council said: "The council is now waiting for Network Rail and the Department for Transport to confirm if work will continue and when it will be complete."

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

You can also read his weekly Traffic and Transport newsletter.