The project has faced many challenges, chiefly the Victorian brick arch under Botley Road (three times bigger than shown in the records); and the mains water and sewer under the road serving 60,000 homes (at one point point only 40cm apart).
Network Rail’s western managing director, Marcus Jones, says ‘with the utility diversions now well advanced, we’re confident the revised plan is deliverable’.
And there’s good news for walkers and cyclists: an improved walkway, four times wider than the original, will open in summer 2025 to fix the current cramped conditions for those walking under the bridge
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DATELINE 11/07/2024: Oxfordshire County Council is 'extremely frustrated' that Network Rail is postponing the replacement of Botley railway bridge at the end of this month, so Botley Road will not now reopen in October as planned. Read more >>
County Highways: Oxford Station
DATELINE 27/10/2023: Sign up for personal updates! Oxfordshire Connect now produces a weekly roundup from both the station and the Botley Road area, including work by National Highways and Southern Gas on the Botley Road / A34 interchange.
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DATELINE 19/09/2023: Work will now continue without a break, says Network Rail
DATELINE 11/04/2023: From Tuesday 11 April 2023 until the end of October...
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The S1 route to Oxford City Centre will divert from Eynsham Church via the A40, Woodstock Road and George Street, terminating at Frideswide Square for the railway station.
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A new E1 service will run every 30 minutes from Eynsham to Osney Island via Farmoor, Dean Court, Elms Parade and Botley Road.
New timetables for the S2 route have also been uploaded. View the press release.
DATELINE 03/03/2023: The £161 million project to increase capacity at Oxford Station begins next month, with closure of Botley Road at the railway bridge for diversion of utility services. View the press release.
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Motorists are advised to use Park & Ride or take another route.
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Buses will turn round near the bridge, allowing passengers to continue on foot.
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Pedestrians and cyclists will have access to the city throughout the work.
This section of Botley Road closes again in spring 2024 for the bridge to be demolished and replaced.
The bridge replacement also promises significant highway improvements: lowering the road to increase headroom; improving drainage provision; and creating dedicated cycle and footpaths on either side.