Residents angered by ongoing disruption on Botley Road
Oxfordshire County Council have confirmed they plan to finish resurfacing next week, although the Oxford Station redevelopment will be ongoing according to Network Rail.
Last updated 18th Sep 2024
People across Oxfordshire have been telling us they are angered and outraged by the ongoing disruption on Botley Road.
The road has been closed at the rail bridge since April last year as part of a ÂŁ161m scheme to revamp Oxford rail station.
Network Rail announced in July that the road will not reopen as planned at the end of October.
Now, and a series of options for the scheme being investigated in a review, which includes postponing the work.
We spoke to a man that lives on Abbey Road which is next to the station and where the redevelopment works are taking place. He said: “I’m so angry about it, the situation is taking too long.
“It’s terrible, I haven’t used my car since February because there’s just no point. I’m not going to travel all the way around Oxford to get to the centre.
“I’m off sick at the moment but it did affect getting to work”.
Oxfordshire County Council have confirmed to us that they plan to finish resurfacing next week on 25th September, after they started on the 13th.
However, the Oxford Station redevelopment will be an ongoing issue for local residents.
Earlier this month, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill CBE, wrote to Leader of Oxford City Council, Susan Brown, to say he was "acutely aware of the disruption the closure of Botley Road”.
Lord Hendy apologises, saying “I extend my apologies for the inconveniences to you personally and to local residents, businesses and visitors to Oxford.
In his letter, Lord Hendy said: “I can advise you that Network Rail, in delivering the project, and Great Western Railway (GWR), in operating the station, will be implementing a joint plan that will bolster the marshalling resources with appropriately experienced staff to support persons with reduced mobility throughout the period of disruption.”
“These arrangements include provision of a dedicated GWR branded assisted travel meeting point to the west of Botley Road works where staff will provide the first contact for those needing assistance. Passengers will be escorted/aided from the meeting point to the main station entrance and platform by trained staff that GWR use for events. Improvements in relation to wayfinding lighting and access are also being developed.
“The opportunity to implement further improvements will be assessed throughout the duration of the project including the feasibility of accessing the station from the west side.
“My officials are pressing Network Rail closely as it continues to produce a robust plan for completing the Botley Road bridge works and the completion of the wider Oxford station enhancement project.
“I absolutely understand all the concerns about the current closure of Botley Road, and I am urgently waiting to hear from Network Rail about its proposals to complete the works for the benefit of Oxford.”