Lord Hendy and Network Rail CEO to provide Botley Road update for Oxford locals

An update on Network Rail’s hugely-delayed project to improve Oxford station and the adjacent Botley Road bridge is promised on Friday (June 13).

The blockade to replace a single rail bridge over a road will have lasted for three and a half years by the time it eventually reopens in August 2026.

The closure of the main road into Oxford from the west had been planned to take two periods of six months.

The Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, will join Network Rail’s Chief Executive, Sir Andrew Haines, at a briefing for local residents.

Such is the level of opposition that the 45-minute meeting is open for invited ticket-holders only. On a previous visit in January, what locals called “burly security guards” were arranged for the rail leaders to pass placard-waving protesters, and journalists were excluded.

Rebuilding the bridge is a key part of a £161 million upgrade to the railway station, as it prepares for the launch of East West Rail services later in 2025. A new station entrance is being built, along with a fifth platform.

It is expected that Network Rail will tell residents that a wider pedestrian path and cycleway beneath the railway will be delivered by the end of August. Its next task is to divert the local sewer system.

It states that the completed project will mean more trains, better accessibility and safer paths.

“Network Rail need to take all the booby prizes going, for a ham-fisted, over-budget, over-time infrastructure project,” local activist John Mair told RAIL. “This project will be taught in business and engineering schools for years as a case study of how not to do it.”

The former TV producer explained: “Botley Road is a main artery of the city, and site of two big retail parks and many small shops. Their supply line of customers was cut off. No compensation was offered.”

The owner of a piano shop near the station said he is closing down after more than three decades, because of the delays.

David Hogben of Courtney Pianos told BBC Radio Oxford the closure was “like falling off the edge of a cliff".

He said the shop will close in August as a result of reduced footfall and uncertainty. He opened the premises in 1991.

“The feeling now is that we’ve got another year and a quarter to go, and that it’s just too long to hang out waiting for things to improve.”

Network Rail said it organised monthly sessions with residents and businesses, a weekly newsletter, and complimentary workshops to assist with marketing.

The infrastructure owner has previously avoided answering questions on the final cost. Sir Andrew Haines told the January meeting that he could not confirm the overspend exceeded £100 million.

Botley Road timeline

The Botley Road has been closed since April 2023.

When Network Rail first announced its plans, it expected to shut the A420 road for two six-month periods, with a six-month break in between.

In September 2023 it announced there would be no break, because work was behind schedule.

In July 2024 it said the road would not reopen in October as planned.

In January 2025, following a project review, Network Rail said it would remain closed until August 2026, almost three and a half years after work began.

Meanwhile East West Rail services, for which Oxford station is being enlarged, are due to start in late 2025.