Improvements to Banbury Rail Station set to start this autumn
The plans have been approved this week for the works which are expected to take a year to complete.
Improvements at Banbury Rail Station have been approved by Oxfordshire County Council, with construction set to start this autumn. The work will improve access to the station and better connect southern Banbury and the town centre, with plans to enhance the road layout and facilities.
An alternative route linking Tramway Road with Station Approach Road and the station forecourt will be included. The improvements 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.”
What to expect
- The County Council say Construction will start this autumn and is expected to take about one year. Drivers, pedestrians and cyclists can expect some changes to their journeys to the station, with road closures and diversions needed.
- The west station car park will be fully or partly closed at different points during construction. The multi-storey east station car park will still be available. Some pick-up and drop off locations will also need to change.
- Advance warning signs and diversion information will be displayed, and the county council is working with Chiltern Railways and local taxi companies to make sure 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.