A DRIVER has been disqualified after drunkenly blocking a pedestrian walkway in his BMW near Oxford's railway station.

Police were called to Botley Road at around 3.30am on July 7 after 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, resulting in Botley Road being closed to vehicles for more than a year.

(Image: NQ)

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

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

Aaron Brickley, 24, of Ticknell Piece Road, Charlbury, was charged with one count of driving a motor vehicle with alcohol concentration above the prescribed limit and was sentenced at Oxford Magistrates' Court on Tuesday (July 30).

He was disqualified from driving for 20 months which will be reduced by 20 weeks on September 9 if the driver completes a specialised course.

(Image: NQ)

Brickley was also fined £520.

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Whilst the car was blocking the path, cyclists had to carry their bikes up the flight of stairs where the railway bridge crosses the pathway.

It was blocking the passageway for about eight hours.

A Network Rail spokeswoman said at the time: “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.”

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

But Oxfordshire County Council leader Liz Leffman suggested in a radio interview with the BBC on Monday that the major road could be closed for "another year" as ongoing works take place led by Network Rail. 

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