Who is responsible for the Botley Road closure in Oxford?

In the beginning there was a vision. There was Network Rail, Botley Road and Oxfordshire County Council.

The road was empty but then Network Rail said let the work commence and it was then filed with workmen and a pedestrian tunnel.

If aliens came down to earth today and asked to see an example of ‘bureaucracy’ in practice, how certain are you they would be ushered in the direction of Oxfordshire County Council?

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To be fair to the authority, it is not directly responsible for the chaotic management of works on Botley Road next to Oxford Station. That responsibility lies with Network Rail.

Botley Road works. (Image: Network Rail.)

After work started it appears that something of a treasure hunt ensued.

Network Rail made discovery after discovery while digging up in the ground.

This is what it claims has caused the delays to reopening of the section on Botley Road to motorists – the main access point into Oxford from the west.

The council is in communication with Network Rail on the works which have seen delay after delay after delay and complaint after complaint after complaint from affected businesses and householders

Where did it all go wrong?

Well, it seems no one is entirely sure.

The chain of blame goes a little something like this: Oxfordshire County Council – Network Rail – Thames Water.

Thames Water has denied any wrongdoing after apparently being accused by Network Rail of missing deadlines in relation to designs for an underground pipe system.

Deputy council leader Dr Pete Sudbury has said he thinks it is “trendy” to blame Thames Water – indeed, they do seem to be implicated in just about everything these days.

Pete Sudbury. (Image: Other.)

Naturally, Oxfordshire County Council blames Network Rail which is managing the project.

But with all these conflicting messages, what are we to actually make of the situation?

Perhaps it should be that there is clearly a need for transparency and more on the ground communication with Oxford householders and business owners.

It is still unclear how long the works are actually expected to take – county council leader Liz Leffman suggested it would be a year in an interview this week which some councillors branded a “slip of the tongue”.

We went back to the council on Ms Leffman’s remark – having not been the recipient of any rough timescale ourselves - and they said it was “largely speculative”.

What to make of that?

Thames Water has been blamed. (Image: Oxford Mail)

Well, our front page story this week attempts to make something of it all – the estimates, the concerns, the responsibility.

We call on all those involved for clarity on how people in Oxford and its visitors will continue to be affected by this.

And perhaps also a sign outside the road which makes it clear to everyone that the pedestrian tunnel is - indeed - for pedestrians.