Botley Road reopening delayed
Network Rail confirmed the Botley Road will not reopen in October due to "highly complex" pipework and is yet to confirm a new date.
The replacement of Botley Road railway bridge this summer has been postponed.
Network Rail say the replacement of the railway bridge over Botley Road, which was due to take place at the end of July 2024, won't now go ahead.
They say the work to divert the complex layout of utility pipes and cables under the road, including the sewer system, can’t be completed in time.
It now means Botley Road will not now reopen in October as planned.
The works will allow for the creation of a fifth platform and will result in an improved and safer local road layout so that buses, cyclists and pedestrians can more easily access the city centre.
The planned closure of the railway through Oxford at the end of July has now been reduced to two days – Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 July.
Oxford City Council have made a statement in response to Network Rail's announcement about Botley Road:
Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council says:
"These delays to the scheme are hugely frustrating for all in the city living with the disruption. Oxford residents and businesses need absolute clarity about when the Botley Road will open and what the implications for County's traffic filters plans are.
Network Rail and Oxfordshire County Council must find a positive resolution and provide that clarity as a matter of urgency."
Local Lib Dem MP Layla Moran has called for a meeting with the new Transport Minister Lord Hendy, as she called the delays 'utterly disgraceful.'
Network Rail say they know how important Botley Road is to Oxford and apologise to local residents and businesses for the ongoing inconvenience.
They add they are working with Oxfordshire County and Oxford City councils to agree the best way forward to complete the project and minimise impact on the city.