Network Rail confirms they don’t have a timescale for when disruption will end on Botley Road
The road has been closed since April 2023
Residents in Oxford are telling us about their frustration and anger as Network Rail has confirmed they don't have a timescale for when disruption will end to Botley Road.
The project has left a major road into the city shut for nearly two years, causing concerns from local residents and businesses.
'People are very depressed and very fed up'
Network Rail says, “Our programme was reset in January with a priority of reopening Botley Road. This will take place by the end of August 2026”.
In a statement they said: “We're separately continuing to work on the plans for the Western entrance and will present these to the Department for Transport in the next few months. This work will follow on from the reopening of Botley Road, but we don't currently have a timescale for the completion."
In a monthly meeting held earlier this this week, a local resident who attended tells us that it’s thought disruption could last years until 2028 and 2029.
Julian Le Vay lives in the area and is a campaigner on the issue, he said: “There are many hundreds of people in Oxford and beyond that in West Oxfordshire, who are suddenly cut off from their friends in some cases, from their GPs, from hospitals on the other side of town, and from everything that makes up their normal lives. They are paying a very high price for this.
He added: “There are family businesses who suddenly have less money. One has closed, another has left Oxford, several more are seeking to close if they can find a buyer but that's difficult.
“So, these are people we know, people who are part of our community, who are going down the drain, not for any reason to do with themselves.
Mr Le Vay also says it’s left him wanting to move home, he said: “This huge work site spreads over acres and the noise, vibrations, works traffic and the piling machines sometimes work all night. It's really becoming quite unendurable.
“People are very depressed, very fed up, and I hear many people say that it's ruined their pleasure in living where we do.”
"Botley Road has faced a number of significant and unique challenges"
A Network Rail spokesperson said: “While we successfully carry out similar projects nationwide, the work on Botley Road has faced a number of significant and unique challenges, including the discovery that the Victorian brick arch underneath the road is much larger in size and scope than anticipated and supports both the road and the bridge, as well as acting as a flood defence for the area. This – coupled with its proximity to Thames Water infrastructure – has added further complexities to the work.
“There will be further community sessions in March, April, and May, and we have established a new oxfordfeedback@networkrail.co.uk email address as part of our commitment to keeping the community informed.”
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