Work is set to begin on Banbury Rail Station this autumn, after the council gave its approval.

Oxfordshire County Council has approved plans to enhance the road layout and facilities at the station, with construction set to begin in the coming months.

The improvements aim to better connect southern Banbury and the town centre, while improving access to the station.

Following a meeting of the county council’s cabinet, the council will move forward with plans to build an alternative route linking Tramway Road with Station Approach Road and the station forecourt.

This will also include new bus stops, cycleways, and footways.

When finished, the new layout should improve journey times to the station on foot and bike, as well as for buses and taxis, while also improving bus journey reliability into Banbury town centre.

The changes should also reduce traffic at the Bridge Street junction, currently the only route to the station.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for infrastructure and development strategy, said: "I’m delighted that we can now get ready to start work on these much anticipated improvements, which are designed to increase the use of Banbury rail station.

"Cyclists and pedestrians have not had a safe and segregated route to the station, and we will now be able to provide them with a new footway and cycleway.

"The west station car park will also be easier to access from the south of town, allowing station traffic to avoid the Bridge Street junction and Cherwell Street, reducing congestion and waiting times in the area.

"The improvements will make it easier for people to walk or cycle to their destination and make a direct bus route to the station a possibility."

Construction will start this autumn and is expected to take a year.

Vehicle drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists can expect some changes to their journeys to the station, with road closures and diversions needed while different parts of the site are worked on.

The west station car park will be fully or partly closed at different points during construction, but the multi-storey east station car park will still be available.

Some pick-up and drop-off locations will also change.

Advance warning signs and diversion information will be prominently displayed, and the council is working with Chiltern Railways and taxi companies to ensure rail station users can plan their journeys throughout construction.

Funding for the improvements is coming from the Housing and Growth Deal and existing developer contributions.

More information can be found at the Oxfordshire County Council website.